BX  8495   .A3  F5  1844 
Abbott,  Benjamin,  1732-17? 
Experience  and  gospel 
labours  of  the  Rev. 


'T: 


THE 

EXPERIENCE 

AND 

GOSPEL  LABOURS 

OF  THE 

REV,  BENJAMIN  ABBOTTs 

TO  WHICH  13  ANNEXED, 

A  NARRATIVE 

LIFE   AND  DEATH; 

ALSO,  EXTRACTS  FHOM  THE 

JOURNAL  OF  THE  REV.  JOHN  WESLEY. 
BY  JOHN  FFIRTH. 

"  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright:  for  the  end 
of  that  man  is  peace." — Psalm  xxxvii.  37. 

PHILADELPHIA : 
PRINTED  BY  S.  W.  CONRAD,  FOR  E.  COOPER, 
No.  118,  North-Fourth-Street. 

LEEDS: 

RE-PRINTED  AND  SOLD  BY  J.  HEATON. 
MDCCCXLIV. 


PREFACE. 


The  greater  part  of  the  following  Work  was  written  many 
years  after  the  occurrences  took  place ;  and  as  Mr.  Abbott's 
memory  could  not  precisely  ascertain  the  exact  time  of  the 
occurrences,  they  are  consequently  inserted  without  day  or 
date.  However,  it  is  of  no  material  consequence,  whether 
an  occurrence  took  place  on  a  Monday  or  a  Saturday, — 
whether  in  May  or  December,  or  in  what  particular  year, — 
provided  that  the  relation  thereof  be  true,  and  the  subject  be 
calculated  to  improve  the  mind,  and  to  promote  virtue  and 
religion. 

Could  Mr.  Abbott  have  given  a  relation  of  every  meeting, 
and  all  the  particular  occurrences,  with  day  and  date,  it 
would  have  swelled  the  work  far  beyond  what  he  designed  or 
wished,  and  would  have  led  him  to  a  detail  of  many  things  of 
no  importance.  He  only  w  ished  to  relate  the  most  material 
circumstances  and  occurrences  in  his  life,  which  he  could 
perfectly  recollect.  The  day  and  date  not  being  mentioned, 
is,  in  the  opinion  of  the  compiler,  of  no  disadvantage  to  the 
work. 

Mr.  Abbott,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  put  his  manu- 
scripts in  possession  of  the  compiler  (John  l'tirth),  with  a  re- 
quest that  he  would  arrange  and  revise  them  for  publication: 
which  he  has  endeavoured  to  perform  to  the  best  of  his 
ability.  Care  has  been  taken,  not  to  expunge  any  thing  that 
might  be  of  utility;  and  also  to  preserve  the  original,  plain, 
simple  ideas  and  language  of  the  man. 

If  some  circumstances  or  occurrences  do  not  stand  exactly 
in  that  order  of  arrangement  in  which  they  occurred  in  point 


iv  Preface. 

of  time,  the  compiler  does  not  hold  himself  accountable  for 
the  error ;  and  he  hopes,  that  if  such  inaccuracy  should  ap- 
pear, it  will  be  held  excusable  in  the  judgment  of  every  judi- 
cious and  candid  reader. 

The  work  is  thrown  into  two  parts.  Part  the  First,  con- 
tains his  experience  and  gospel  labours,  previous  to  his  en- 
tering the  itinerant  connexion  of  Methodist  Preachers ;  dur- 
ing which  time,  he  visited  various  parts  of  New  Jersey,  Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware,  and  Maryland.  Part  the  Second,  con- 
tains his  travels  and  gospel  labours,  after  he  entered  the 
itinerant  connexion. 

The  compiler  had  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  Mr. 
Abbott  for  about  twenty  years,  and  had  knowledge  of  some 
things  relative  to  that  eminent  saint  of  God  (not  mentioned 
in  his  own  manuscripts),  which  may  be  acceptable  to  the 
reader ;  he  has,  therefore,  annexed  to  the  work,  a  Narrative 
of  the  life  and  death  of  that  extraordinary,  zealous,  faithful, 
and  useful  man. 


THE  COMPILER. 


THE  EXPERIENCE,  &c. 


PART  FIRST. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Containing  his  Parentage,  Birth,  Marriage,  and  manner  of 
life,  while  in  Nature's  darkness — His  Conviction,  Conver- 
sion, and  Sanctilication— His  gospel  labours,  and  divers  re- 
markable occurrences  while  a  Local  preacher,  till  the 
death  of  his  wife. 

My  grandfather,  James  Abbott,  was  born  in 
Somersetshire,  in  Great  Britain :  he  removed  to 
America,  and  settled  on  Long-Island,  where  he 
married,  and  had  five  sons  and  two  daughters. 
My  father,  Benjamin  Abbott,  was  his  third  son; 
when  he  arrived  at  age,  he  removed  from  Long. 
Island  into  New- Jersey,  where  he  married  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  John  Burroughs,  sheriff  of  Hun. 
terdon  county.  Afterwards  he  removed  again  to 
Long-Island,  where  he  resided  for  some  time, 
and  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  After  this, 
he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  into  Pennsylvania, 
bought  a  plantation  of  four  hundred  acres  of 
good  land,  and  lived  in  credit;  where  he  had 
three  sons  and  one  daughter  more.  My  mother, 
■when  on  her  death-bed,  lay  sick  of  a  nervous 
complaint  about  five  weeks.  In  the  dead  of  the 
night,  before  she  expired,  she  cried  unto  the  Lord 
and  besought  him  to  look  in  mercy  upon  the 
family,  and  with  a  loud  voice  prayed  fervently 


6  His  Parentage,  Qc. 


for  us  all,  which  caused  the  spectators  to  wonder, 
and  to  cry  out,  "Hannah,  what  is  the  matter 
with  you  ?"  Next  day  she  departed  this  life.  I 
then  pondered  these  things  in  my  heart. 

In  six  weeks  after,  my  father  took  the  small 
pox  and  departed  this  life,  leaving  my  grand- 
father executor.  In  his  will  he  ordered  that  we 
should  all  have  trades;  accordingly  I  was  put  to 
a  hatter  in  Philadelphia,  where  I  soon  fell  into 
bad  company,  and  from  that  to  card  playing, 
cock  fighting,  and  many  other  evil  practices.  My 
master  and  I  parted  before  my  time  was  out,  and 
I  went  into  Jersey,  and  hired  with  one  of  my 
brothers,  where  I  wrought  at  plantation  work. 
Some  time  after  this  I  married,  and  when  I  got 
what  my  father  had  left  me,  I  rented  a  farm  and 
followed  that  business;  but  all  this  time  I  had 
no  fear  of  God  before  mine  eyes,  but  lived  in  sin 
and  open  rebellion  against  God,  in  drinking, 
fighting,  swearing,  gambling,  &c.  yet  I  worked 
hard  and  got  a  comfortable  living  for  my  family. 
I  professed  myself  a  Presbyterian,  went  often  to 
meeting,  and  many  times  the  Spirit  of  God 
alarmed  my  guilty  soul  of  its  danger;  but  it  as 
often  wore  off  again. 

Thus  I  continued  in  a  scene  of  sin,  until  the 
fortieth  year  of  my  age;  yet  many  were  the  pro- 
mises  I  made  during  that  period,  to  amend  my 
life,  but  all  to  no  purpose;  they  were  as  often 
broken  as  made;  for  as  yet  I  never  had  heard  the 
nature  of  conviction  or  conversion;  it  was  a  dark 
time  about  religion,  and  little  or  nothing  ever 
said  about  experimental  religion;  and,  to  my 
knowledge,  I  never  heard  either  man  or  woman 
say  that  they  had  the  pardoning  love  of  God  in 
their  souls,  or  knew  their  sins  forgiven.  My 


Alarming  Dreams. 


7 


wife  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  a  praying  woman;  yet  at  that  time  she  knew 
nothing  about  heart-work. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Alarming  Dreams — Hears  a  Methodist — Conviction  for  sin — 
Reprobation — Obtains  pardon. 

About  the  thirty-third  year  of  my  age,  I 
dreamed  that  I  died,  and  that  I  was  carried  to 
hell,  which  appeared  to  me  to  be  a  large  place 
arched  over,  containing  three  apartments  with 
arched  doors  to  go  from  one  apartment  to  another. 
I  was  brought  into  the  first,  where  I  saw  nothing 
but  devils  and  evil  spirits,  which  tormented  me 
in  such  a  manner,  that  my  tongue  or  pen  cannot 
express.  I  cried  for  mercy,  but  in  vain.  There 
appeared  to  me  a  light  like  a  star,  at  a  great  dis- 
tance from  me;  I  strove  to  get  to  it,  but  all  in 
vain.  Being  hurried  into  the  second  apartment, 
the  devils  put  me  into  a  vice,  and  tormented  me 
till  my  body  was  all  in  a  gore  of  blood.  I  cried 
again  for  mercy,  but  still  in  vain.  I  observed 
that  a  light  followed  me,  and  I  heard  one  say  to 
me,  "How  good  does  this  light  appear  to  you." 
I  was  soon  hurried  into  the  third  apartment, 
where  there  were  scorpions  with  stings  in  their 
tails,  fastened  in  sockets  at  the  end  thereof:  their 
tails  appeared  to  be  about  a  fathom  long,  and 
every  time  they  struck  me,  their  stings,  which 
appeared  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  stuck  fast 
in  me,  and  they  roared  like  thunder.  Here  I 
was  constrained  again  to  cry  for  mercy.  As  fast 
as  I  pulled  out  the  sting  of  one,  another  struck 
me.    I  was  hurried  through  this  apartment  to  a 


8 


Alarming  Dreams. 


lake  that  burned  with  fire:  it  appeared  like  a 
flaming  furnace,  and  the  flames  dazzled.  The- 
devils  were  here  throwing  in  the  souls  of  men 
and  women.  There  appeared  two  regiments  of 
devils  moving  through  the  arches,  blowing  up 
the  flames;  and  when  they  came  to  the  end,  one 
regiment  turned  to  the  right,  and  the  other  to 
the  left,  and  came  round  the  pit,  and  the  screeches 
of  the  damned  were  beyond  the  expression  of  man. 
When  it  came  to  my  turn  to  be  thrown  in,  one 
devil  took  me  by  the  head  and  another  by  the 
feet,  and  with  the  surprise  I  awoke  and  found  it 
a  dream.  But  oh,  what  horror  seized  my  guilty 
breast !  I  thought  I  should  die  and  be  damned  ! 
This  brought  seriousness  to  my  mind  for  about 
eight  or  ten  days,  in  which  I  made  many  promises 
to  mend  my  life,  but  they  soon  wore  off  again. 

About  five  or  six  weeks  after  this,  I  dreamed 
that  I  died,  and  was  carried  into  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  places  I  ever  saw,  and  my  guide  brought 
me  to  one  of  the  most  elegant  buildings  I  ever 
beheld,  and  when  we  came  to  it,  the  gates  opened 
to  us  of  their  own  accord,  and  we  went  straight 
forward  into  the  building,  where  we  were  met  by 
a  company  of  the  heavenly  host  arrayed  in  white 
raiment  down  to  their  feet.  We  passed  on  through 
the  entry  until  we  came  to  a  door  on  the  right, 
whicli  stood  about  half  open;  passing  a  little  for- 
ward, we  made  a  stand  before  the  door;  I  looked 
in,  and  saw  the  Ancient  of  Days  sitting  upon  his 
throne,  and  all  around  him  appeared  a  dazzling 
splendour,  I  stood  amazed  at  the  sight:  one  step- 
ped forward  to  me  arrayed  in  white,  which  I  knew 
to  be  my  wife's  mother,  and  said  to  me,  "Ben- 
jamin, this  place  is  not  for  you  yet;"  so  I  re- 
turned, and  my  guide  brought  me  back.  I  awoke 


He  hears  a  Methodist  preacher. 


9 


with  amaze  at  what  I  had  seen,  and  concluded 
that  I  should  shortly  die,  which  brought  all  my 
sins  before  me,  and  caused  me  to  make  many 
promises  to  God  to  repent,  which  lasted  for  some 
time;  but  this  wore  off  again,  and  I  went  to  my 
old  practices. 

One  Sabbath  day  (our  minister  being  sick,  and 
my  wife  being  a  great  meeting  body),  hearing 
that  there  was  to  be  a  Methodist  meeting  about 
ten  or  twelve  miles  distance,  she  expressed  a  de- 
sire to  go  to  it;  I  gave  it,  and  she  and  my  eldest 
son  and  daughter,  went  to  hear  the  man.  On 
their  return,  I  asked  her  how  she  liked  the 
preacher,  she  replied  that  he  was  as  great  a 
preacher  as  ever  she  had  heard  in  her  life;  and 
persuaded  me  to  go  and  hear  for  myself;  accor- 
dingly, on  the  next  Sabbath  I  went;  there  was  a 
large  congregation  assembled  to  hear  the  man : 
his  text  was,  "Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour 
and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 
Matt.  xi.  23.  The  man  was  much  engaged,  and 
the  people  were  crying  all  through  the  house; 
this  greatly  surprised  me,  for  I  never  had  seen 
the  like  before.  The  sermon  made  no  impression 
on  me;  but  when  he  came  to  the  application  he 
said,  "  It  may  be,  that  some  of  you  may  think 
that  there  is  neither  God  nor  devil,  heaven  nor 
hell,  only  a  guilty  conscience;  and  indeed,  my 
friends,  this  is  bad  enough."  "But,"  said  he, 
"I  assure  you  there  is  both  heaven  and  hell,  God 
and  devil."    I  spoke,  "I  am  the  man." 

But  he  went  on  and  said,  "When  I  was  com- 
ing from  England  to  this  country,  I  saw  u  ball  of 
fire  fall  from  the  elements,  about  as  large  as  a 
small  pot,"  &c.  In  illustrating  from  this,  he 
argued  that  fire  was  contained  in  every  thing, 


Ill 


Under  deep  Conviction. 


and  that  there  was  a  dreadful  hell  that  was  be- 
yond our  comprehension,  and  advised  the  people 
to  fly  to  Christ  for  refuge;  he  then  shewed  the 
reality  of  the  existence  of  a  God,  from  a  beauti- 
ful illustration  of  his  works  which  are  evidenced 
to  us  daily,  and  that  this  God  had  created  the 
heavens  and  the  earth ;  then  called  the  people  to 
come  to  God,  for  Christ  had  died  for  our  redemp- 
tion. There  was  much  weeping,  and  heavy 
groaning  among  the  people.  Meeting  being  over, 
the  two  dreams  that  I  dreamed  about  seven  years 
before,  came  as  fresh  into  my  mind  as  if  I  had 
dreamed  them  the  night  before,  and  that  God  had 
shewn  me  both  heaven  and  hell,  the  state  of  the 
blessed  and  the  damned.  This  brought  me  to 
think  of  my  mis-spent  life,  and  in  a  moment  all 
the  sins  that  I  ever  had  committed  were  brought 
to  my  view;  I  saw  it  was  the  mercy  of  God  that 
I  was  out  of  hell,  and  promised  to  amend  my  life 
in  future. 

I  went  home  under  awful  sensations  of  a  fu- 
ture state;  my  convictions  increased,  and  I  began 
to  read  my  Bible  with  attention,  and  saw  things 
in  a  different  light  from  what  I  had  ever  seen 
them  before,  and  made  many  promises  to  God, 
with  tears  and  groans,  to  forsake  sin;  but  I  knew 
not  the  way  to  Christ  for  refuge,  being  ignorant 
of  the  nature  both  of  conviction  and  conversion. 
But  blessed  be  God,  he  still  gave  me  light,  so 
that  the  work  was  deepened  in  my  soul  day  by 
day. 

The  preacher  came  to  preach  in  our  neighbour- 
hood, and  1  went  to  hear  him  again ;  being  a  new 
thing  in  the  place,  it  brought  many  together  to 
hear  him.  Some  were  Presbyterians,  some  were 
Baptists,  and  others  without  any  profession  of 


Under  deep  Conviction.  11 

religion.  He  took  his  text,  and  preached  with 
power;  the  word  reached  my  heart  in  such  a 
manner  that  it  shook  every  joint  in  my  body; 
tears  flowed  in  abundance,  and  I  cried  out  for 
mercy,  of  which  the  people  took  notice,  and  many 
others  were  melted  into  tears.  When  the  sermon 
was  over,  the  people  flocked  round  the  preacher 
and  began  to  dispute  about  religion.  I  said  that 
there  never  was  such  preaching  as  this;  but  the 
people  said,  "Abbott  is  going  mad  !" 

I  returned  home  with  my  family  in  sore  dis- 
tress, and  pondered  these  things  in  my  mind:  I 
saw  it  was  the  mercy  of  God  that  I  was  out  of 
hell.  I  cried  to  God  for  mercy,  but  it  seemed  all 
in  vain.  It  brought  to  my  mind  the  many  times 
his  holy  Spirit  had  strove  with  me  from  time  to 
time  when  I  was  a  small  boy;  and  from  that  time 
to  this,  Satan  suggested  to  me  that  my  day  of 
grace  was  now  over,  and  that  I  was  one  of  those 
damned  reprobates  that  God  had  assigned  over 
to  him  from  all  eternity;  therefore  I  might  pray 
and  cry,  but  he  was  sure  of  me  at  last.  Being 
brought  up  in  the  doctrine  of  election  and  repro- 
bation, I  concluded  that  I  should  be  damned,  do 
what  I  could.  By  this  time  my  case  became  des- 
perate: I  knew  not  what  to  do,  and  was  almost 
in  despair. 

One  day,  going  to  the  mill,  I  felt  such  a  hell 
in  my  breast,  arising  from  a  guilty  conscience, 
and  being  belated  in  my  return,  as  I  was  passing 
through  a  piece  of  woods,  the  devil  suddenly  sug- 
gested to  my  mind,  that  as  I  was  one  of  the  repro- 
bates and  there  was  no  mercy  for  me,  I  had  better 
hang  myself  and  know  the  worst  of  it.  While 
I  was  looking  for  a  suitable  place  for  that  pur- 
pose, I  thought  I  heard  a  voice  saying  (alluding 


12 


Under  deep  Conviction. 


to  the  anxiety  and  distress  of  soul  that  I  then 
felt),  "  This  torment  is  nothing  to  hell."  I  imme- 
diately changed  my  mind,  and  drove  home  under 
the  greatest  anxiety  imaginable;  for  it  appeared 
to  me  the  devil  was  behind  me  in  the  waggon, 
with  his  hand  just  over  my  head,  threatening  to 
take  me  away,  both  soul  and  body.  I  cannot 
express  my  feelings  at  that  time:  my  hair  arose 
on  my  head  through  fear.  I  was  afraid  to  look 
hack,  lest  I  should  visibly  see  him. 

In  this  deplorable  condition  I  returned  home; 
when  I  got  into  the  house  I  dared  not  go  outside 
of  the  door,  for  fear  the  devil  would  take  me 
away.  My  wife  saw  that  something  was  the 
matter  with  me,  and  inquired  what  it  was,  for, 
said  she,  "You  look  like  death."  I  was  con- 
strained to  turn  from  her  and  weep,  for  I  ex- 
pected she  knew  my  condition,  as  she  had  been 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  many 
years,  and  was  a  praying  woman. 

Bed  time  being  come,  I  told  her  I  should  sleep 
by  myself;  when  I  lay  down  and  fell  into  a  doze, 
my  mind  was  filled  with  awful  apprehensions.  I 
thought  I  saw  devils  ready  to  take  me,  hell  open 
ready  to  receive  me,  and  that  I  was  rolling,  bed 
and  all,  into  the  flames,  while  other  huge  devils 
stood  ready  to  receive  me.  Then  I  would  sud- 
denly awake  in  the  greatest  distress  imaginable, 
and  so  I  continued  during  the  night. 

Next  morning,  being  the  9th  of  October,  1772, 
having  a  piece  of  grass  to  cut,  I  arose  and  went 
to  it:  as  soon  as  I  began  to  mow,  I  was  taken 
with  fainting  fits,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that  the 
earth  would  open  and  swallow  me  up,  while  my 
heart  beat  so  loud  that  I  could  hear  the  strokes, 
and  could  compare  it  to  two  men  boxing  or  thrash- 


Great  Distress. 


[3 


iug,  more  than  like  its  usual  motion.  It  occurred 
to  my  mind,  what  is  all  the  world  to  me?  I  shall 
be  dead  and  damned  before  the  setting  sun.  This 
caused  me  to  lay  down  my  scythe,  while  I  stood 
weeping  for  my  sins;  but  alas!  all  in  vain. 

I  still  grew  worse,  and  went  back  to  the  house 
under  great  distress,  where  I  read  some  hymns 
that  I  had  in  a  book,  of  the  sufferings  of  our 
blessed  Lord  and  Saviour.  Here  my  heart  was 
tendered  and  I  could  weep  freely,  until  my  very 
cheeks  were  sore  with  wiping  them.  It  was 
pressed  upon  me  to  pray,  and  perhaps  the  Lord 
would  have  mercy  upon  me.  I  endeavoured  to 
comply  with  the  impression,  and  went  to  a  lonely 
place  and  kneeled  down  to  pray;  but  the  devil 
suggested  to  my  mind,  that  there  was  somebody 
hid  in  the  woods  and  they  would  laugh  at  me, 
so  I  arose  and  looked  all  round,  but  I  could  see 
no  one;  yet  I  dared  not  pray  there. 

However,  I  went  to  the  other  end  of  my  field 
and  kneeled  down  again ;  here  the  enemy  sug- 
gested the  same  thing,  but  the  Lord  gave  me 
strength  to  pray,  it  being  the  first  time  I  ever 
prayed  with  a  vocal  voice.  My  prayer  was  not 
like  the  Pharisee,  but  like  the  poor  Publican,  I 
cried,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner !  God 
have  mercy  on  me!"  I  believe  I  might  have 
been  heard  half  a  mile.  31  y  distress  was  not  so 
great  when  I  arose  from  prayer  as  when  I  kneeled ; 
for  I  believe  I  could  not  have  continued  in  the 
body,  if  God  had  not  moderated  the  pain  and 
anxiety  that  I  was  in,  but  must  have  expired 
before  the  going  down  of  the  sun.  Glory  to  God, 
I  felt  my  distress  somewhat  removed  !  I  then 
returned  to  the  house  and  sat  down  to  dinner, 
but  my  soul  was  still  in  so  great  distress  that  I 


14 


Prays  for  Mercy. 


could  not  eat;  although  I  put  food  into  my  mouth 
and  chewed  it,  yet  I  could  not  swallow  it,  so  in 
as  private  a  manner  as  possible,  that  my  wife 
should  not  discover  my  anxiety,  I  threw  it  to  the 
dog-,  and  asked  her  if  she  would  go  with  me  to 
meeting,  as  a  Methodist  preacher  was  to  preach 
in  the  neighbourhood  that  afternoon;  she  agreed, 
and  we  went. 

When  we  got  there,  the  people  not  being  as- 
sembled,  I  retired  into  the  woods  to  pray,  and 
got  in  among  the  boughs  of  a  fallen  tree,  and 
then,  in  the  utmost  anguish  of  my  soul,  I  cried 
unto  God  for  mercy,  so  loud  that  the  people  at 
the  house  heard  me.  After  this  I  felt  something 
easier,  but  still  had  no  peace.  I  then  went  to 
one  of  the  near  neighbours,  and  advised  them  to 
go  with  me  and  hear  the  preacher,  whom  I  spake 
so  highly  of  that  they  all  went. 

When  we  got  there  the  preacher  had  come,  and 
there  was  a  large  concourse  assembled:  a  great 
many  more  than  could  get  into  the  house.  I  then 
went  in,  sat  down,  and  took  my  little  son  upon 
my  knee;  the  preacher  began  soon  after.  His 
word  was  attended  with  such  power  that  it  ran 
through  me  from  head  to  foot,  and  I  shook  and 
trembled  like  Belshazzar,  and  felt  that  I. should 
cry  out  if  I  did  not  leave  the  house,  which  I  deter- 
mined to  do,  that  I  might  not  expose  myself  by 
crying  out  among  the  people;  but  when  I  at- 
tempted to  put  my  little  son  down  and  rise  to  go,  I 
found  that  my  strength  had  tailed  me,  and  the  use 
of  my  limbs  was  so  far  gone,  that  I  was  utterly  un- 
able to  rise.  Immediately  I  cried  aloud,  like  the 
penitent  of  old,  "Save,  Lord,  or  I  perish;"  but  be- 
fore the  preacher  concluded  I  refrained,  and  wiped 
my  eyes;  my  heart  gave  way  to  shame,  and  I  was 


Sets  up  Family  Prayer.  15 


tempted  to  wish  I  was  dead  or  could  die,  as  I  had 
;    so  exposed  myself,  that  my  neighbours  and  ac- 
quaintance would  laugh  at  and  despise  me. 

When  the  meeting  was  over,  I  thought  to  speak 
I   to  the  preacher,  but  such  a  crowd  got  around  him 
disputing  points  of  doctrine,  that  I  could  not  con- 
veniently get  an  opportunity. 

That  evening  I  set  up  family  prayer,  it  being 
the  first  time  I  ever  attempted  to  pray  in  my 
family.  My  wife  being  a  strict  Presbyterian  and 
professor  of  religion,  she  was  a  praying  woman, 
and  much  pleased  with  having  family  prayer;  so 
that  she  proved  a  great  help  to  encourage  me  in 
my  duty;  although,  dear  creature,  she  knew  no- 
thing of  experimental  religion. 

Saturday,  10th  of  October,  1772,  my  distress 
continued,  although  not  so  great  as  the  day  be- 
fore. 

Sunday  the  1 1th,  my  wife  and  I  went  eleven  or 
twelve  miles  to  meeting,  in  order  to  hear  the  same 
Methodist  preacher  again.  'When  we  arrived  at 
the  place,  the  preacher  was  walking  across  a  field; 
I  went  and  related  to  him  my  distress  of  soul, 
and  told  him  that  I  had  a  desire  to  be  baptized, 
hoping  that  it  would  be  of  service  to  make  me 
better,  and  relieve  me  of  my  distress;  for  I  had 
no  idea  of  faith  in  Christ.  He  asked  me  if  I  was 
a  Quaker,  I  told  him  no,  I  was  nothing  but  a 
poor  wretched  condemned  sinner.  He  then  ex- 
horted nie  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  applied  the  promises  of  the  gospel.  I  replied, 
I  could  not  believe  that  Christ  would  have  mercy 
on  such  a  sinner  as  I  was,  and  burst  into  a  flood 
of  tears.  lie  then  said,  I  was  the  very  man  that 
Christ  died  for,  or  he  would  not  have  awakened 
me:  that  it  was  the  lost,  Christ  came  to  seek,  and 


L6 


Remarkable  Dream. 


the  greatest  of  sinners  he  came  to  save,  and  com- 
manded me  to  believe. 

We  then  went  to  the  house;  he  soon  began  to 
preach,  and  I  stood  outside  the  door,  for  I  was 
afraid  to  go  in  lest  I  should  expose  myself  again 
as  on  Friday  before:  in  his  prayer  he  particularly 
prayed  for  the  poor  broken-hearted  sinner.  His 
cries  to  God  on  this  occasion,  ran  through  my  heart 
like  darts  and  daggers;  after  meeting,  I  returned 
and  prayed  in  my  family,  and  ever  after  I  con- 
tinued that  duty. 

That  night  I  lay  alone,  expecting  to  sleep  little, 
but  to  pray  and  weep  all  night.  Whenever  I  fell 
into  a  slumber,  it  appeared  to  me  that  I  saw  hell 
opened  to  receive  me,  and  I  just  on  the  point  of 
dropping  in,  and  devils  waiting  to  seize  me.  Being 
thus  alarmed,  it  would  arouse  me  up,  crying  to 
the  Lord  to  save  me;  and  thus  I  passed  the  whole 
night  in  this  terrified  condition.  Just  at  the  dawn- 
ing of  the  day,  I  fell  into  a  doze  more  like  sleep 
than  any  I  had  during  the  whole  night,  in  which 
I  dreamed  that  I  saw  a  river  as  clear  as  crystal, 
in  the  middle  of  which  appeared  a  rock,  with  a 
child  sitting  upon  it,  and  a  multitude  of  people  on 
the  shore,  who  said  the  child  would  be  lost.  I 
then  saw  a  small  man  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
whose  hair  was  very  black,  and  he  and  I  wrestled 
together.  I  heard  the  people  cry  out,  the  child  is 
lost;  and  looking  round,  I  saw  it  floating  down 
the  river,  and  when  it  came  opposite  where  we 
were,  it  threw  up  its  wings,  and  I  saw  it  was  an 
angel.  The  man  with  whom  I  wrestled,  told  me 
there  was  a  sorrel  or  red  horse,  chained  head  and 
hind  foot  in  the  river,  and  bade  me  go  down  and 
loose  him.  The  people  parted  to  the  right  and 
left,  forming  a  lane  for  me  to  pass  through  ;  I  im- 


Interprets  the  Dream.  17 

mediately  hastened  to  the  river  and  went  in,  the 
water  running  over  my  head,  and  without  receiv- 
ing any  kind  of  injury,  I  loosed  the  horse,  and 
immediately  I  sprang  out  of  the  water  like  a  cork, 
or  the  bouncing  of  a  ball,  and  at  that  instant  1 
awoke,  and  saw  by  faith,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
standing  by  me  with  his  arms  extended  wide,  say- 
ing to  me,  "I  died  for  you."  I  then  looked  up, 
and  by  faith  I  saw  the  Ancient  of  Days,  and  he 
said  to  me,  "I  freely  forgive  thee  for  what  Christ 
has  done."  At  this  I  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears, 
and  with  joy  in  my  heart,  cried  and  praised  God, 
and  said,  "Oh  !  that  there  was  a  minister  to  give 
me  the  Lord's  Supper  !"  Then  by  faith  I  saw 
the  Lord  Jesus  come  to  me  as  with  a  cup  in  his 
hand,  and  he  gave  it  me,  and  I  took  it  and  drank 
thereof ;  it  was  like  unto  honey  for  sweetness. 
At  that  moment  the  scriptures  were  wonderfully 
opened  to  my  understanding. 

I  was  now  aide  to  interpret  the  dream  or  vision 
to  my  satisfaction,  viz:  The  river  which  I  saw, 
represented  to  me  the  river  of  life  proceeding  from 
the  throne  of  God,  spoken  of  by  the  Psalmist, 
xlvi.  4,  and  also  in  Rev.  xxii.  1.    The  numerous 
company  on  the  shore  represented  the  angels  of 
God,  standing  to  rejoice  at  my  conversion,  ac- 
cording to  Luke  xv.  (i,  7-   The  sorrel  or  red  horse, 
I  thought  was  mv  own  spirit  or  mind,  fettered 
with  the  cords  of  unbelief,  or  the  chains  of  the 
devil.    The  colour  represented  the  carnal  mind 
1    or  the  nature  of  Satan,  which  was  stamped  upon 
1    me,  and  thus  I  was  plunged  into  the  river,  where 
j    the  cords  of  unbelief  were  immediately  loosed  by 
faith,  and  my  captive  soul  set  at  liberty;  and  my 
bouncing  out,  was  a  representation  of  the  light- 
'    ness  of  my  heart,  which  sprung  up  to  God,  upon 

B 


18  His  Daughter  converted. 


my  instantaneous  change  from  nature  to  grace. 
The  man  at  whose  command  I  was  loosed,  was 
Christ;  thus  I  was  set  at  liberty  from  the  chains 
of  bondage  and  enmity  of  the  carnal  mind. 


CHAPTER  III. 

His  daughter  is  converted—Begins  to  exhort — Doubtful  dis- 
putations— l'.illen  preacher — Call  to  preach. 

At  this  time  I  thought  of  my  daughter,  who 
was  under  distress  of  soul;  she  was  about  four- 
teen years  of  age.  I  looked  up  towards  the  cham- 
ber where  she  was,  with  a  particular  concern  for 
her  conversion,  and  the  Lord  said  to  me,  "She  is 
safely  landed;"  which  was  accompanied  with  a 
conviction  in  my  mind,  that  she  had  found  the 
Lord,  which  was  the  case,  as  I  found  after  I  arose 
and  spoke  to  her.  I  have  since  thought  that  the 
child  I  saw  in  my  vision  or  dream,  might  repre- 
sent my  daughter;  who,  instead  of  being  lost,  was 
safely  landed.  She  served  the  Lord  a  number  of 
years,  and  died  triumphant  in  the  faith;  and  I 
have  no  doubt  hut  our  loss  is  her  infinite  gain, 
and  that  she  landed  in  glory. 

All  the  time  of  my  conviction  I  used  to  consi- 
der what  church  or  society  I  should  join,  whether 
the  Baptists,  Presbyterians,  or  Methodists;  but 
at  this  time  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  "You  must 
join  the  Methodists,  for  they  are  my  people,  and 
they  are  right." 

My  heart  felt  as  light  as  a  bird,  being  relieved 
of  that  load  of  guilt  which  before  had  bowed  down 
my  spirits;  and  my  body  felt  as  active  as  when  I 
was  eighteen,  so  that  the  outward  and  inward 
man  were  both  animated,  and  I  felt  as  if  I  could 


He  Expounds  in  his  Family.  19 

have  sprung  from  the  bed  to  the  lire,  which  was 
about  fifteen  feet. 

I  arose  and  called  up  the  family,  and  took  down 
the  Testament,  and  the  first  place  I  opened  was 
the  ninth  chapter  of  Acts,  where  Saul  breathed 
out  threatenings  and  slaughter  against  the  church 
and  disciples  of  the  Lord;  and  if  I  had  had  a 
congregation  I  could  have  preached;  but  having 
none,  only  my  own  family,  I  expounded  the  chap- 
ter and  exhorted  them,  and  then  sang  and  prav- 
ed.  After  breakfast  I  told  my  wife  that  I  must 
go  and  tell  the  neighbours  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  my  soul. 

The  first  place  I  went  to,  the  man  and  his  wife 
were  both  professors  of  religion,  and  members  of 
the  Baptist  church.  I  expected  they  knew  what 
these  things  were  and  would  rejoice  with  me;  but 
to  my  great  surprise,  when  I  related  my  experi- 
ence, and  told  what  God  had  done  for  my  soul,  it 
appeared  as  strange  to  them  as  if  I  had  claimed  pos- 
session of  Old  England,  and  called  it  all  my  own. 

I  then  set  out  for  Jacob  Elwell's  mill,  about 
two  miles  off,  where  I  expected  to  meet  with  di- 
vers persons,  and  to  have  an  opportunity  to  ex- 
hort them,  and  tell  them  what  I  had  found.  On 
my  way  there  I  exhorted  all  I  met  with  to  turn 
to  God.  When  I  got  to  the  mill,  while  I  was 
telling  them  my  experience,  and  exhorting  them 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  some  laughed,  and 
others  cried,  and  some  thought  I  was  distracted. 
Before  night  a  report  was  spread  all  through  the 
neighbourhood  that  I  was  raving  mad. 

At  evening  I  returned  home,  and  asked  my 
wife  about  her  conviction  and  conversion ;  expect- 
ing, as  she  professed  religion,  that  she  knew  what 
heart-religion  was:  but  to  my  astonishment,  I 
b  2 


20  Speaks  to  his  Wife  about  her  Conversion. 

found  she  never  had  experienced  a  change  of  heart. 
IShe  had  been  awakened  when  young,  under  a 
sermon  by  Mr.  Hunter,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
which  brought  her  to  prayer,  but  in  process  of 
time  it  wore  off  again.  About  seven  years  after 
that,  as  a  brother  of  hers  was  sitting  under  a  fence 
watching  for  deer,  another  man,  who  was  also 
a-hunting  about  sunset,  seeing  his  head  through 
the  fence,  and  taking  it  to  be  a  fox,  shot  and  kil- 
led him.  This  unfortunate  affair  gave  her  ano- 
ther alarm,  which  brought  her  again  to  prayer, 
but  this  also  wore  off  in  a  short  time,  and  she  lived 
in  neglect  of  that  duty  until  after  we  were  mar- 
ried and  had  three  children;  at  which  time  the 
measles  came  into  the  family,  and  under  her  af- 
flictions and  distress,  she  covenanted  with  God  to 
be  more  religious;  from  which  time  she  became 
a  praying  woman,  and  joined  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  was  looked  upon  as  a  very  religious 
person,  although  she  rested  short  of  conversion, 
and  remained  a  stranger  to  the  new  birth.  I 
told  her  she  had  no  religion,  and  was  nothing 
more  than  a  strict  Pharisee.  This  gave  her  dis- 
pleasure, and  she  asked  me  if  I  thought  none 
had  religion  but  them  that  knew  it.  I  told  her 
no,  not  one;  for  all  who  had  it  must  know  it. 

Next  day  she  went  to  the  minister  to  know 
what  he  thought  of  it.  He  told  her  she  was  right ; 
for  people  might  be  good  Christians  and  know 
nothing  about  what  I  insisted  on  :  and  advised 
her  not  to  mind  me,  for  I  was  expecting  to  be 
saved  by  my  works.  This  gave  her  a  momentary 
satisfaction,  and  home  she  came  quite  strong  and 
attacked  me,  and  related  what  her  minister  had 
said.  She  also  brought  a  book  which  he  had  sent 
me,  requesting  I  would  read  it,  entitled  ''Bella- 


An  evil  Book. 


21 


my's  New  Divinity,"  in  which  lie  insisted  upon 
conversion  before  conviction,  and  faith  before  re- 
pentance. I  read  it  about  half  through,  and  found 
him  a  rigid  Predestinarian.  His  doctrine  of  de- 
crees and  unconditional  election  and  reprobation 
so  confused  my  mind,  that  I  threw  it  by  determin- 
ing to  read  no  more  in  it,  as  my  own  experience 
clearly  proved  to  me,  that  the  doctrines  contained 
in  it  were  false. 

Next  day  my  wife  took  the  book  back.  I  de- 
sired her  to  tell  the  minister,  from  me,  that  it 
was  full  of  lies,  which  scripture  and  experience 
both  proved. 

He  sent  for  me  to  come  to  see  him ;  accordingly 
the  day  following  I  went  and  dined  with  him: 
after  dinner  he  requested  all  the  family  to  with- 
draw from  the  dining  room;  they  did  so,  and  he 
and  I  were  left  alone.  He  then  told  me  he  un- 
derstood that  God  had  done  great  things  for  me; 
whereupon  I  related  my  conviction  and  my  con- 
version. He  paid  a  strict  attention  until  I  had 
done,  and  then  told  me  I  was  under  strong  delu- 
sions of  the  devil.  He  got  a  book  out  of  his  library 
for  me  to  read.  As  he  handed  it  to  me,  the 
Lord  shewed  me  by  the  voice  of  his  Spirit,  that 
the  book  was  not  fit  for  me.  However,  I  diso- 
beyed the  divine  impression,  and  took  it  at  the 
minister's  request.  I  returned  home,  felt  a  temp- 
tation to  doubt,  and  called  to  mind  my  various  sins, 
but  none  of  them  condemned  me.  I  then  thought 
upon  a  particular  sin,  which  I  concluded  would 
condemn  me,  but  in  a  moment  I  felt  an  evidence 
that  that  sin  was  forgiven,  as  though  separate 
from  all  the  rest  that  ever  I  had  committed;  but 
recollecting  that  the  minister  had  told  me  that  I 
was  under  strong  delusions  of  the  devil,  it  was 


22  Strong  Temptations. 


suggested  to  my  mind,  it  may  be  that  he  is  right. 
I  went  a  little  way  out  of  the  road  and  kneeled 
down  and  prayed  to  God,  that  if  I  was  deceived  to 
undeceive  me;  and  the  Lord  said  to  me,  "Why 
do  you  doubt  ?  Is  not  Christ  all-sufficient?  Is 
he  not  able  ?  Have  you  not  felt  his  blood  applied?" 
I  then  sprang  upon  my  feet  and  cried  out,  not 
all  the  devils  in  hell,  nor  all  the  Predestinarians 
on  earth,  should  make  me  doubt,  for  I  knew  that 
I  was  converted.  At  that  instant  I  was  tilled 
with  unspeakable  raptures  of  joy. 

When  I  got  home,  my  wife  asked  what  the  mi- 
nister had  said.  I  told  her,  and  that  he  had  no 
religion;  at  which  she  burst  into  tears  and  wept, 
to  think  I  should  sav  the  minister  had  no  religion. 
She  said  it  was  dreadful  that  I  should  condemn 
their  minister.  She  then  said,  "You  hate  me, 
and  all  the  Presbyterians."  I  replied,  "  No,  my 
dear,  I  love  you  all,  but  as  yet  I  have  not  found 
one  converted  Christian  among  you." 

For  three  days  I  continued  in  these  divine  rap- 
tures of  joy,  and  thought  I  should  have  no  more 
trials  nor  warfare,  not  being  acquainted  with  the 
travels  of  a  Christian  through  the  snares  and  dan- 
gers in  life.  But  the  fourth  day  I  fell  into  heavi- 
ness through  powerful  temptations.  The  devil 
harassed  my  soul  with  fear  that  I  had  grieved  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  that  it  had  left  me.  A  severe 
temptation  ran  through  me,  "Let  him  go  if  he 
will!  Let  him  go  if  he  will!"  Then  it  was  strong- 
ly suggested  to  my  mind,  that  I  had  as  good  turn 
back  to  my  old  ways  again;  but  I  cried,  "No,  I 
love  my  Jesus!  I  never  will:  no,  not  for  a  thou- 
sand worlds!"  In  the  evening  I  prayed  as  usual, 
but  still  felt  as  if  dark  and  forsaken.  After  I  got 
into  bed  the  Lord  visited  me  in  a  powerful  man- 


The  fallen  Preacher. 


23 


ner,  and  I  lay  as  in  the  arms  of  Jesns.  Towards 
the  dawn  of  day,  in  a  dream,  I  thought  I  saw  the 
preacher  under  whom  I  was  awakened,  drunk 
and  playing  cards,  with  his  garments  all  denied 
with  dirt.  When  I  awoke  and  found  it  was  a 
dream  I  was  glad;  although  I  still  felt  some  un- 
easiness on  his  account. 

In  ahout  three  weeks  after,  I  heard  that  the 
poor  unfortunate  preacher  had  fallen  into  sundry 
gross  sins,  and  was  expelled  the  .Methodist  Con- 
nexion. Thus  I  saw  my  dream  fulfilled.  The 
tidings  of  his  fall  filled  me  with  such  distress,  that 
I  wandered  about  like  a  poor  lost  sheep  with  these 
reflections— If  the  head  is  thus  fallen,  what  will 
become  of  me,  or  what  combats  may  I  have  with 
the  devil  ?  At  length  when  in  prayer,  under  sore 
temptation,  and  almost  in  despair,  a  new  thought 
was  impressed  on  my  mind,  that  I  must  not  put 
my  trust  in  the  arm  of  flesh,  for  cursed  is  he  that 
putteth  his  trust  in  an  arm  of  flesh.  I  then  saw 
that  my  salvation  did  not  depend  on  his  standing 
or  falling.  I  had  to  stand  for  myself,  and  to  give 
diligence  through  grace,  to  save  my  own  soul; 
and  that  my  soul  must  answer  at  the  bar  of  God 
for  my  own  deeds. 

I  then  drew  a  conclusion,  that  I  would  not  join 
any  church,  until  I  had  read  the  Bible,  and 
compared  it  with  their  articles  or  confessions  of 
faith.  Accordingly,  I  took  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  and  compared  it  with  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  found  it  held  many  things  which  were 
not  in  the  Bible,  but  repugnant  thereunto.  I 
then  got  the  Baptist  Confession  of  Faith,  and 
compared  their  articles  in  like  manner,  and  found 
them  as  unscriptural  and  repugnant  to  truth  as 
the  former.    I  found  the  Bible  held  out  free  grace 


24       Disputes  with  a  Calvinist  Minister. 

to  all,  and  for  all,  and  that  Christ  tasted  death 
for  every  man,  and  offered  gospel-salvation  to  all. 
Therefore,  I  could  not  hear  those  contracted  par- 
tial doctrines  of  unconditional  election  and  repro- 
bation. So  I  threw  them  both  aside,  and  went 
on  with  the  llible  from  Genesis  to  the  Revelation, 
until  I  had  read  it  through:  by  which  time  I  was 
well  armed  with  arguments  against  the  Predes- 
tinarians. 

Soon  after  this,  I  had  a  dispute  with  a  Calvinis- 
tic  minister,  at  his  own  house,  upon  election  and 
reprobation.  He  told  me  that  such  a  definitive 
number  of  angels  and  men,  had  been  elected  to 
life  from  all  eternity;  and  the  others,  by  an  unal- 
terable decree,  had  been  reprobated  to  damnation. 
I  then  told  him  he  was  a  fool  to  preach,  if  he  be- 
lieved that  doctrine;  the  people  were  fools  to  hear 
him,  much  more  for  paying  him  to  preach  such 
doctrine;  and  that  he  was  no  better  than  a  pick- 
pocket to  take  the  people's  money,  when  his  preach- 
ing could  be  of  no  service  to  them,  if  everything 
was  pre-ordained,  determined,  and  fixed  by  an 
eternal  unalterable  decree.  At  this  he  was  much 
offended  and  left  me. 

As  I  was  going  home,  I  got  upon  a  neighbour's 
fence,  where  I  sat  for  some  considerable  time, 
pondering  in  my  mind  what  I  had  best  do:  for 
I  could  not  join  either  the  Presbyterians  or  Bap- 
tists, because  their  articles  and  doctrines  were 
contrary  to  Scripture,  to  my  faith  and  experience; 
and  as  yet  there  was  no  society  of  Methodists 
formed  in  our  parts. 

While  I  was  thus  meditating,  the  Lord,  by  his 
Spirit,  in  power  spoke  in  my  mind  to  the  follow- 
ing effect:  "I  have  shown  you  the  way  wherein 
you  ought  to  walk;  but  your  ways  are  a  grief  to 


Resolves  to  be  a  Methodist.  2o 

my  Spirit."  I  then  recollected,  that  at  my  con- 
version the  Lord  had  shewed  me  that  it  was  his 
will  that  I  should  join  the  Methodist  church,  and 
that  I  had  been  putting  it  off  for  six  months,  try- 
ing to  join  either  the  Baptist  or  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Such  a  shock  of  conviction  ran  through 
my  soul  upon  this  reflection,  that  on  a  sudden  I 
cried  aloud  several  times,  "I  am  a  Methodist! 
I  am  a  Methodist!"  I  then  returned  home  fully 
resolved  to  be  a  Methodist;  although  I  well  knew 
that  persecution  and  reproach  would  be  poured 
upon  me  from  every  quarter.  However,  I  was 
resolved  to  obey  God,  come  what  would.  Accor- 
dingly, I  told  my  wife  that  I  was  a  Methodist. 
She  asked  what  was  the  matter  now.  I  told  her 
that  God  would  not  let  me  be  any  thing  else. 

A  few  days  after,  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
meeting  came  to  talk  with  me,  to  whom  I  told 
my  experience,  and  that  I  knew  that  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  had  forgiven  my  sins.  He  replied, 
that  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  church  twenty- 
five  years,  and  never  before  heard  any  one  say 
that  he  knew  his  sins  were  forgiven;  and  for  any 
one  to  say  that  he  knew  that  his  sins  were  for- 
given he  ought  to  be  burnt,  for  he  made  himself 
as  perfect  as  an  angel  in  heaven.  "Nay,"  said 
he,  "  I  would  help  to  burn  such  a  man  myself." 
I  told  him  if  he  had  never  felt  such  a  conviction 
for  sin  to  make  him  cry  to  God  to  save  him  a 
poor  sinner,  and  hath  not  felt  the  blood  of  Christ 
applied  to  the  washing  away  of  his  sins,  his  reli- 
gion was  still  no  better  than  the  devil's.  This 
shut  him  up,  and  he  went  away  silent,  and  after- 
wards told  his  minister  that  he  slept  none  that 
night.  When  he  afterwards  related  this  to  me, 
I  told  him  I  wished  he  had  never  slept  any  more 
until  he  had  found  Christ. 


26 


Exhorts  at  Dinner. 


Some  days  after,  I  went  to  Wood's-Town, 
about  twelve  miles  from  home,  where  I  met  with 
an  old  acquaintance,  who  invited  me  to  dine  with 
him;  I  went,  and  when  we  were  about  sitting 
down  to  dinner,  I  proposed  to  ask  a  blessing:  as 
soon  as  I  began,  the  two  journeymen  burst  out  a- 
laughing;  at  which  I  arose  and  began  to  exhort 
them  all  in  a  very  rough  manner,  thundering  out 
hell  and  damnation  against  the  ungodly,  with 
tears  in  mine  eyes.  This  broke  up  dinner,  and 
neither  of  us  eat  any  thing.  S.  Smalhvood,  a 
young  woman,  being  present,  was  much  affected, 
and  asked  me  home  with  her.  Accordingly  I 
went,  and  when  we  got  there,  she  related  to  her 
mother,  Mrs.  Sparks,  all  that  had  passed.  The 
old  lady  and  I  soon  fell  into  conversation.  She 
was  a  pious  Moravian.  I  was  truly  glad  that  I 
had  found  a  witness  for  Jesus,  she  being  the  first 
person  I  had  conversed  with  since  my  conversion, 
who  testified  the  knowledge  of  sin  forgiven.  She 
knew  that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  freely  for- 
given her  sins.  We  had  a  comfortable  time  in 
conversing  together  on  the  things  of  God.  She 
told  me  that  I  was  the  first  person  she  had  met 
with  in  that  place,  who  could  testify  that  their 
sins  were  forgiven.  I  left  her  with  strong  im- 
pressions on  my  mind  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  on 
my  way  home  began  to  illustrate  on  the  green  tree 
and  the  dry:  the  dry  times  and  the  green  times. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

His  wife  converted— Prays  with  the  sick— Remarkable  dream 
— Begins  to  preach— The  murderer — He  is  appointed  Class 
Leader. 

I  still  continued  to  read  and  examine  the  bible, 
being  fully  convinced  that  a  dispensation  of  the 


His  Wife  consults  a  Preacher. 


■21 


gospel  was  committed  to  me  from  the  very  hour  I 
had  found  peace  with  God.  From  that  time  I 
exhorted  all  that  I  had  any  intercourse  with. 
The  scriptures  were  wonderfully  opened  unto  me, 
and  hecame  my  meditation  hy  day  and  hy  night; 
for  often  when  asleep,  texts  were  brought  to  my 
mind,  the  Spirit  divided  them  into  heads,  and  I 
preached  from  them  in  my  sleep.  I  frequently 
awoke,  not  knowing  then  where  to  find  the  text 
I  had  been  preaching  from,  and  inquired  of  my 
wife  if  she  knew:  and  upon  her  replying  that  she 
did  not,  I  have  lain  a  few  minutes,  and  God  has 
revealed  to  me  both  chapter  and  verse,  which  I 
desired  her  to  remember,  and  in  the  morning 
found  it  as  the  Lord  had  revealed  it  to  me.  This 
so  frequently  occurred,  that  my  wife  used  to  sav, 
"You  are  always  preaching."  However,  it  caused 
her  to  ponder  these  things  in  her  heart.  I  saw 
that  if  ever  1  should  win  her  to  Christ  it  must  be 
by  love,  and  a  close  walk  with  God;  for  I  ob- 
served that  she  watched  me  closely. 

She  went  many  times  to  her  minister,  and  he 
as  often  daubed  her  up  with  untempered  mortar, 
and  she  would  return  again  strong  in  her  own 
opinion.  But  when  she  observed  to  him  that 
there  was  an  alteration  in  me,  he  replied,  that  I 
expected  to  get  to  heaven  by  my  works.  When 
I  told  her  that  I  should  be  a  preacher,  she  re- 
plied, "You  look  like  a  preacher,  and  do  not  un- 
derstand one  text  in  the  bible." 

However,  I  continued  to  go  on,  and  about  this 
time  Philip  Gatch,  one  of  the  Methodist  preachers, 
preached  about  four  miles  from  our  house;  my 
wife  and  I  went  to  hear  him.  He  gave  us  an 
alarming  discourse,  which  reached  the  heart  of 
my  wife.    She  called  him  aside  after  preaching, 


I 


28 


His  Wife  converted. 


and  said,  "If  what  my  husband  tells  me,  and 
what  yon  preach,  he  true,  I  have  no  religion." 
He  came  to  me,  and  told  me  my  wife  was  awaken- 
ed, and  that  we  must  go  with  him  to  the  place 
where  he  was  to  preach  in  the  afternoon :  we  ac- 
cordingly went. 

After  he  had  done  preaching,  he  asked  me  to 
go  to  prayer;  this  was  a  great  cross,  as  I  had 
never  prayed  in  public,  except  in  my  family. 
However,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  comply,  and  accor- 
dingly took  up  my  cross,  and  the  Lord  wrought 
powerfully  on  the  people;  among  the  rest,  my 
wife  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  So  great  was  her 
conviction,  that  for  three  days  she  eat,  drank,  or 
slept  but  little.  She  now  saw  she  had  only  been 
a  Pharisee,  and  was  in  a  lost  condition. 

On  the  third  day  in  the  afternoon,  she  went 
over  to  John  Murphey's,  a  neighbour  of  ours,  a 
sensible  man,  and  one  well  experienced  in  reli- 
gion. After  some  conversation  with  him,  she  re- 
turned home,  and  upon  the  way  the  Lord  broke 
in  upon  her  soul,  and  she  came  home  rejoicing  in 
God.  During  her  absence,  I  went  from  home  to 
visit  a  sick  man,  with  whom  I  tarried  all  night. 
On  my  return  next  morning,  she  met  me  at  the 
door  with  tears  of  joy;  we  embraced  each  other, 
and  she  cried  out,  "Now  I  know  what  you  told 
me  is  true,  for  the  Lord  hath  pardoned  my  sins." 
We  had  a  blessed  meeting,  and  it  was  the  happiest 
day  we  had  ever  seen  together.  "Now,"  said 
she,  "  I  am  willing  to  be  a  Methodist  too."  From 
that  time  we  went  on  hand  in  hand,  helping  and 
building  each  other  up  in  the  Lord.  These  were 
like  the  beginning  of  days  to  us. 

Our  children  began  to  yield  obedience  to  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  course  of  about  three  months 


Peculiar  Dreams. 


29 


after  my  wife's  conversion,  we  had  six  children 
converted  to  God:  two  sons  and  four  daughters, 
the  youngest  of  whom  was  only  seven  years  old. 

My  neighbours,  when  sick,  now  began  to  send 
for  me  to  pray  with  and  for  them  ;  some  of  whom, 
after  they  recovered,  were  ashamed  lest  they  should 
be  laughed  at,  for  sending  for  "Old  Abbott"  to 
pray  with  them. 

There  was  one  remarkable  instance  which  I 
shall  here  mention,  viz:  I  dreamed  that  one  of 
my  neighbours  had  a  fire  broke  out,  and  I  worked 
at  it  till  it  became  pure  gold,  and  then  I  told  him 
that  he  was  one  of  the  richest  men  in  the  world. 
Soon  after,  I  dreamed  that  a  fire  broke  out  and 
ran  through  all  his  plantation  and  then  died 
away,  and  the  whole  appeared  to  be  a  coal-mine. 
It  rested  on  my  mind  what  these  dreams  could 
mean. 

In  a  few  weeks  this  neighbour  was  taken  sick, 
and  lay  very  ill  of  a  pleurisy.  His  life  being  de- 
spaired of,  he  requested  them  to  send  for  me  to 
pray  with  him.  I  got  out  of  my  bed  and  went. 
When  I  got  there,  he  told  me  the  Lord  had 
warned  him  to  send  for  me,  and  that  all  his  sins 
had  passed  before  him  that  night,  and  that  he  ex- 
pected to  die  and  go  to  hell;  but  that  he  now  felt 
his  anguish  and  guilt  removed,  and  his  mind 
filled  with  remarkable  peace.  I  told  him  his  soul 
was  converted;  he  suddenly  clasped  his  hands, 
and  sprang  up*in  the  bed  praising  God  aloud,  and 
exhorting  all  in  the  house  to  repent  and  turn  to 
God.  His  words  wrought  so  powerfully  on  their 
hearts,  that  a  general  weeping  took  place.  That 
night  his  disorder  broke,  and  he  recovered  and 
lived  some  years  in  the  service  of  God,  then  died 
a  happy  man;  but  his  family,  who  were  all  struck 


3Q 


Call  m  a  Dream. 


with  the  power  of  God  the  night  of  his  conver-  l: 
sion,  lost  their  desires  for  salvation.    Then  I  un-  r 
derstood  that  the  fire  I  had  seen  in  my  dream,  | 
was  the  heavenly  fire  which  had  caught  in  him  I 
and  run  through  all  his  family.    The  pure  gold  r 
was  that  treasure  he  retained  in  his  own  soul; 
the  coal-mine,  his  family,  who  lost  their  desires, 
and  were  dead  and  barren  in  religion. 

At  another  time,  on  a  Saturday  night,  I  dream, 
ed  that  the  next  day  there  would  be  a  disappoint- 
ment, and  that  the  expected  preacher  would 
not  come,  and  that  the  Lord  said  to  me,  "  You 
must  go  and  preach,  for  you  must  speak  for  me." 
I  awaked  my  wife,  and  told  her  my  dream.  She 
replied,  "You  are  always  dreaming  about  preach- 
ing, there  is  no  doubt  but  what  the  preacher 
will  be  there."  I  said,  very  well,  we  will  go  and 
see.  Accordingly  we  went,  and  the  people  ga- 
thered, but  no  preacher  came.  One  of  the  men 
said,  we  ought  not  to  let  the  people  go  away  with- 
out singing  and  prayer;  which  I  thought  very 
right,  and  concluded  within  myself  to  preach. 
A  hymn  was  sung,  and  one  went  to  prayer,  but 
the  cross  was  so  great  that  my  heart  failed,  and  I 
did  not  attempt  to  speak. 

The  people  being  dismissed,  I  returned  home 
sorely  distressed  that  I  had  been  so  fearful  as  to 
disobey  the  divine  impression  that  had  attended 
my  mind.  Thus  I  fell  into  great  heaviness  and 
deadness,  and  wandered  about  the  fields.  At 
length  I  retired  into  the  woods,  and  covenanted 
with  the  Lord,  that  if  he  would  reveal  himself  to 
me  again  as  he  had  done  before,  I  would  go  and 
preach  wherever  he  would  send  me,  even  if  it 
were  to  devils.  That  instant  the  Lord  broke 
into  my  soul  with  power.    I  arose  from  my  knees 


He  attends  a  Funeral. 


31 


and  preached  to  the  very  trees  of  the  woods.  I 
was  resolved  through  grace,  the  first  opportunity 
that  offered,  to  preach  to  men. 

A  few  days  after  a  neighbour  died,  and  I  was 
requested  to  attend  the  funeral.  As  I  rode  to 
the  place,  these  words  ''Circumcise  your  hearts, 
for  to-morrow  the  Lord  will  do  great  things 
among  you,"  rested  weightily  on  my  mind. 
When  I  got  to  the  place  I  stood  up  and  said, 
"  The  Lord  has  shewn  us  what  we  shall  all  come 
to,  in  taking  this  our  fellow -mortal  from  time  to 
eternity."  Then  went  to  prayer,  and  when  I 
arose  from  my  knees,  I  took  my  text  and  preached. 
The  word  had  effect  on  many,  and  we  had  a 
weeping  season.  From  that  time  I  went  on  to 
preach  as  occasion  served,  from  time  to  time,  and 
the  fruit  which  the  Lord  gave  me  was  a  satisfac- 
tory evidence  that  he  had  called  me  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  and  had  committed  a  dispensa- 
tion of  the  gospel  unto  me. 

Some  time  after  this,  as  I  was  on  my  way  to 
hear  one  of  the  Methodist  preachers,  it  was 
strongly  impressed  on  my  mind  that  the  preacher 
would  not  be  there,  and  that  I  must  preach  from 
a  certain  text  which  then  was  given  me.  When 
I  got  to  the  place,  I  understood  that  the  preacher 
was  so  unwell  that  he  could  not  come.  One  of 
the  principal  members  in  that  place  asked  me  to 
pray  with  the  people.  After  prayer  I  arose  and 
took  my  text  and  began  to  preach,  at  which  the 
people  were  surprised,  it  being  very  unexpected 
to  them:  however,  it  was  a  time  oi'  liberty  and 
power. 

After  meeting,  a  man  asked  me  to  preach  at  his 
house  the  next  Sabbath;  accordingly  the  appoint- 
ment was  made,  which  I  attended,  and  felt  a 


32    Extraordinary  occurrence — A  murderer. 


great  opening  in  divine  things,  and  the  people 
were  much  wrought  on.  It  was  in  a  neighbour- 
hood where  there  never  had  been  any  Methodist 
preaching  before.  The  following  extraordinary 
occurrence  took  place:  while  I  was  speaking  with 
great  zeal,  and  exclaiming  against  the  various 
abominations  of  the  people,  and  pointing  out 
their  enormous  sins,  I  cried  out,  "  For  aught  I 
know,  there  may  be  a  murderer  in  this  congrega- 
tion !"  Immediately  a  lusty  man  attempted  to 
go  out,  but  when  he  got  to  the  door  he  bawled 
out,  and  stretched  out  both  his  arms  and  ran 
backward,  as  though  some  one  had  been  before 
him  pressing  on  him  to  take  his  life,  and  he  en- 
deavouring to  defend  himself  from  the  attack, 
until  he  got  to  the  far  side  of  the  room,  and  then 
fell  backward  against  the  wall  and  lodged  on  a 
chest,  and  cried  out  very  bitterly  and  said,  he  was 
the  murderer,  for  he  had  killed  a  man  about 
fifteen  years  before,  and  that  two  men  met  him  at 
the  door  with  pointed  swords,  and  pursued  him 
across  the  room  to  stab  him  !  Thus  he  lay  and 
cried  with  great  anguish  of  soul.  This  surprised 
me  so  much  that  I  stopped  preaching;  the  people 
were  greatly  alarmed,  and  looked  on  the  man 
with  the  utmost  astonishment.  After  a  short 
pause,  I  went  on  again  and  finished  my  discourse. 
The  man  who  was  in  this  wonderful  manner 
wrought  upon,  recovered  himself  and  went  away, 
and  I  never  have  seen  or  heard  of  him  since. 

The  Sabbath  after  I  preached  in  the  school- 
house  in  my  own  neighbourhood;  it  had  been  ru- 
moured abroad  that  I  was  that  day  to  preach  to 
drunkards.  People  of  all  kinds  c:ime  out,  and 
we  had  a  large  congregation.  The  Lord  attended 
his  word  witli  power,  even  to  some  who  came 


The  American  War. 


S3 


only  out  of  an  idle  curiosity  to  hear,  as  they 
thought,  some  laughable  nonsense. 

About  this  time  we  formed  a  class  in  our  neigh- 
bourhood, and  I  was  appointed  to  lead  them. 
We  were  taken  into  the  circuit,  and  had  regular 
circuit  preaching  once  in  two  weeks:  I  continued 
to  preach  on  Sabbath  days,  and  the  circuit 
preachers  on  week  days. 


CHAPTER  V. 

American  War — Obtains  sanctification — Work  prospers  — 
Baptist  Preacher — Collegian — Quaker  woman  in  distress — 
Catholic — Warning  to  parents — Bigotry — His  son  Benja- 
min dies. 

The  American  war  came  on,  and  this  increased 
our  persecution.  For  hitherto  we  had  been  per- 
secuted as  Methodist  christians,  but  in  addition  to 
this  we  were  now  branded  with  toryism.  For 
the  Methodists  were  considered  by  their  persecu- 
tors as  tories;  and  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  the  im- 
proper conduct  of  some,  both  preachers  and  mem- 
bers, gave  grounds  for  the  suspicion.  However, 
to  be  called  a  Methodist,  was  a  certain  imputation 
of  toryism,  in  the  estimation  of  our  enemies. 
But  for  my  part  I  never  meddled  with  the  poli- 
tics of  the  day.*  My  call  was  to  preach  salva- 
tion to  sinners,  and  to  wage  war  against  the 
works  of  the  devil. 

One  day,  Major  H.  asked  me  if  I  preached  for 
war;  I  told  him  no,  I  did  not.  He  then  asked 
me  what  I  did  preach;  I  told  him  that  I  preach- 
ed repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  Jesus 


•  He  certainly  was  taught  of  the  Lord  Ed. 

° 


34 


Mighty  Prayer. 


Christ,  and  that  all  who  did  not  experience  this, 
would  be  damned  and  go  to  hell.  He  appeared 
angry  at  this  answer;  but  when  I  related  to  him 
my  conviction  and  conversion,  he  was  calm  and 
wished  me  well.  I  asked  him  to  come  and  hear 
me,  and  then  he  would  know  my  manner  of 
preaching. 

At  a  certain  time  I  had  an  appointment  to 
preach  at  D.  G.'s  in  Deerfield,  at  which  a  mob 
collected  and  threatened  to  tar  and  feather  the 
preacher,  if  he  attempted  to  preach.  Mr.  G.  met 
me  upon  the  road,  and  advised  me  to  go  back,  for 
the  mob  had  collected  in  order  to  tar  and  feather 
me.  At  first  I  thought  I  would  return.  Con- 
sulting with  flesh  and  blood,  I  concluded  it  would 
be  a  disagreeable  thing  to  have  my  clothes  spoil- 
ed, and  my  hair  all  matted  with  tar,  &c.  But 
those  words  revolving  in  my  mind,  "The servant 
is  not  greater  than  his  Lord,"  I  immediately  re- 
solved to  go  and  preach,  even  if  I  were  to  die  for  it. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  place,  there  was  a  large 
congregation  assembled,  so  that  the  house  could 
not  contain  them,  and  a  number  stood  round 
about  the  door.  I  went  in  among  them,  and  gave 
out  a  hymn,  but  no  one  sang.  I  then  sang  four 
lines  myself,  while  every  joint  in  my  body  trem- 
bled, and  then  said,  let  us  pray;  but  before  prayer 
was  over,  the  power  of  God  fell  upon  me  in  such 
a  manner,  that  it  instantly  removed  from  me  the 
fear  of  man,  and  some  cried  out.  I  arose,  took 
my  text,  and  preached  witli  great  liberty;  and  be- 
fore the  meeting  was  over,  I  saw  many  tears  drop 
from  their  eyes,  and  the  head  man  of  the  mob 
said,  that  he  had  never  heard  such  preaching  since  • 
Mr.  Williams  went  away.  So  I  came  off  clear. 
Glovy  be  to  God  who  stood  by  me  in  this  trying 


The  Spirit  poured  out.  35 


hour.  I  then  asked  if  I  should  give  out  for 
preaching  again,  but  the  answer  was,  "No." 
So  I  returned  home  happy  in  ray  soul. 

Meeting  with  one  of  our  preachers,  I  told  him 
■what  great  things  the  Lord  had  done  for  poor  me. 
He  replied,  "It  is  nothing  to  what  he  will  do  for 
you  if  you  are  faithful,  for  it  is  the  will  of  God, 
even  your  sanctification."  "  Why,"  said  I,  "  I 
am  happy  in  God  already;  but  if  there  is  such  a 
blessing  to  be  had,  I  am  determined  to  have  it;" 
and  from  that  time  I  began  to  seek  for  it. 

In  examining,  I  found  in  the  Bible  that  it  was 
the  will  of  God,  even  our  sanctification.  I  soon 
hungered  and  thirsted  for  full  salvation.  In  fa- 
mily prayer,  one  morning,  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
came  upon  me  in  such  a  manner,  that  I  felt  the 
impression,  as  though  one  had  laid  a  hand  upon 
me,  attended  with  such  power  that  I  thought  I 
should  die.  But  unbelief  took  place,  and  the 
power  withdrew,  or  I  believe  that  God  would 
have  sanctified  me  that  moment.  At  night  I 
was  afraid  to  pray  for  such  power,  for  fear  that 
God  would  kill  me,  therefore  my  prayer  was  only 
lip  language;  by  this  time  I  got  very  dead.  How. 
ever,  next  night  I  prayed,  from  my  very  heart, 
for  the  power  again,  live  or  die:  and  God  poured 
out  his  Spirit  upon  us  all  in  such  a  manner,  that 
the  place  was  glorious  because  of  the  presence  of 
the  Lord,  and  his  dying  love  filled  all  our  hearts. 

I  was  now  engaged  for  the  blessing  more  than 
ever.  Soon  after  D.  Ruff  came  upon  the  circuit, 
and  my  house  being  a  preaching  place,  he  came 
nnd  preached;  and  in  the  morning,  in  family  pray- 
er, he  prayed  that  God  would  come  and  sanctify 
,  us,  soul  and  body.  I  repeated  these  words  after 
him,  "  Come,  Lord,  and  sanctify  nie,  soul  and 


36 


Powerful  effects. 


body!"  That  moment  the  Spirit  of  God  came 
upon  me  in  such  a  manner,  that  I  fell  flat  to  the 
floor,  and  lay  as  one  strangling  in  blood,  while 
my  wife  and  children  stood  weeping  over  me.  But 
I  had  not  power  to  lift  hand  or  foot,  nor  yet  to 
speak  one  word;  I  believe  I  lay  half  an  hour,  and 
felt  the  power  of  God  running  through  every  part 
of  my  soul  and  body,  like  tire  consuming  the  in- 
ward corruption  of  poor  depraved  nature.  When 
I  arose  and  walked  out  of  the  door,  and  stood 
pondering  these  things  in  my  heart,  it  appeared 
to  me  as  if  the  whole  creation  was  praising  God  ; 
it  also  appeared  as  if  I  had  got  new  eyes,  for 
every  thing  appeared  new,  and  I  felt  a  love  for 
all  the  creatures  that  God  had  made,  and  an  unin- 
terrupted peace  filled  my  breast.  In  three  days, 
God  gave  me  a  full  assurance  that  he  had  sancti- 
fied me,  soul  and  body.  "If  a  man  love  me  he 
will  keep  my  words:  and  my  Father  will  love 
him,  and  we  will  come  unto  him,  and  make  our 
abode  with  him."  John  xiv.  23.  Which  I  found 
day  by  day,  manifested  to  my  soul,  by  the  witness 
of  his  Spirit;  glory  to  God  for  what  he  then  did, 
and  since  has  done  for  poor  me. 

Some  time  after,  I  went  to  Salem,  and  A.  H. 
came  to  me  and  said,  "  I  understand  that  vou 
preach  ;"  I  said,  "  Yes."  "  Then,"  said  he,  "will 
you  come  and  preach  at  my  house?"  I  said,  "If 
you  please  you  may  give  it  out  next  Sabbath-day." 
He  did  so,  and  accordingly  I  attended  and  found 
a  large  congregation  assembled,  to  whom  I  preach- 
ed, and  God  attended  the  word  with  power;  some 
cried  out,  and  many  were  in  tears.  After  sermon, 
I  made  another  appointment  for  that  day  two 
weeks,  at  eleven  o'clock.  Thpre  being  an  elder 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  present,  he  asked  me 


The  Daughter  of  a  Baptist  awakened.  37 

if  I  would  come  and  preach  at  his  house.  I  told 
him  that  I  would  on  that  day  two  weeks,  at  three 
o'clock.  Another  said  it  was  the  truth  I  had 
spoken,  hut  in  a  very  rough  manner. 

At  the  time  appointed  I  attended,  and  found 
many  people  at  both  places.  At  first,  I  felt  much 
freedom  in  speaking,  and  after  sermon  I  found 
that  both  tbe  man  and  his  wife  were  awakened. 
At  the  second,  great  power  attended  the  word, 
several  cried  aloud,  and  one  fell  to  the  floor. 
After  meeting,  I  asked  the  man  of  the  house  if 
he  knew  what  he  had  done.  He  replied,  "  What 
have  I  done?"  Said  I,  "You  have  opened  your 
door  to  the  Methodists,  and  if  a  work  of  religion 
break  out,  your  people  will  turn  you  out  of  their 
synagogue."  He  replied,  "  That  he  would  die  for 
the  truth."  I  appointed  to  preach  again  at  both 
places,  that  day  two  weeks. 

Next  day,  on  my  return  home,  I  called  at  a 
Baptist's  house,  whose  daughter  was  very  ill. 
After  some  conversation,  I  went  to  prayer,  and 
while  at  prayer  the  Lord  set  her  soul  at  liberty, 
and  she  praised  God  before  us  all.  Here  I  fell  in 
company  with  one  of  Whitfield's  converts,  who 
had  known  the  Lord  forty  years.  We  had  great 
comfort  in  conversing  together  upon  the  things  of 
God.  He  was  an  Israelite  indeed.  About  two 
years  after  he  came  to  see  me,  and  told  me  that 
he  had  come  to  die  at  my  house;  accordingly  he 
Mas  taken  sick,  and  died  there  happy  in  God. 

The  Sabbath  day  following,  I  preached  at  a 
place  called  Hell-Neck,  which  name  took  its  rise 
from  the  wickedness  of  the  people.  One  sinner 
said  he  had  heard  Abbott  swear,  and  had  seen 
him  fight,  and  now  he  would  go  and  hear  him 
preach.    The  word  reached  his  heart,  and  he 


38 


A  Boy  awakened. 


soon  after  became  a  convert  to  the  Lord.  After 
meeting,  he  invited  me  home  with  him,  and 
several  others  invited  me  to  preach  at  their  hou- 
ses, so  that  I  got  preaching  places  thiough  all  the 
neighbourhood,  and  a  considerable  revival  of  re- 
ligion took  place,  although  it  had  been  so  noted 
for  wickedness. 

Among  others,  a  young  lad  about  fifteen  was 
awakened,  and  in  a  few  weeks  found  peace;  his 
father  being  a  great  enemy  to  religion,  opposed 
him  violently,  and  resolved  to  prevent  his  being 
a  Methodist,  and  even  whipped  him  for  praying. 
This  soon  threw  him  into  great  distress,  and  on 
the  borders  of  despair:  at  length  he  was  tempted 
to  think  that  he  had  sinned  against  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  thought  he  had  cursed  God.  I  heard 
of  it,  and  went  to  see  him;  he  told  me  his  temp- 
tations, and  cried  out,  "  There  I  have  now  done 
it,"  and  clapped  his  hand  on  his  mouth.  I  told 
him  that  he  had  not  done  it,  and  that  he  would 
not  do  it  for  the  world.  His  mother  began  to  cry, 
and  his  father  soon  came  in,  and  I  warned  him 
against  such  conduct  towards  his  son,  and  he  told 
me  it  was  all  delusion.  "Who  told  you  so?" 
said  I;  "D.  P."  said  he,  "and  he  is  a  Presbyte- 
rian, and  a  good  man."  "Tell  D.  P.  that  he  is 
a  deceived  man,"  said  I,  "for  this  is  the  true  work 
of  God  upon  your  son."  The  son  then  cried  out, 
"The  Lord  is  here!"  The  father  said  to  me, 
"Benjamin,  are  you  not  a  Free-mason?"  I  told 
him  no,  I  knew  nothing  of  Free-masonry;  but  I 
knew  that  this  was  the  apparition  of  the  Spirit 
of  God.  The  father  then  wept,  I  went  to  prayer, 
and  the  family  were  all  in  tears;  after  this,  the 
son  went  on  joyfully. 

After  I  left  this  hous«,  I  went  to  another  of  the 


Several  converted. 


neighbour's,  and  after  some  conversation  with 
them,  I  went  to  prayer;  the  man  kneeled,  but  the 
woman  continued  knitting  all  the  time  of  prayer. 
"When  I  arose,  I  took  her  by  the  hand  and  said, 
"Do  you  pray?"  and  looked  steadfastly  at  her 
and  added,  '*God  pity  you!"  This  pierced  her 
heart  so,  that  she  never  rested  until  her  soul  was 
converted  to  the  Lord.  The  whole  neighbourhood 
seemed  alarmed. 

A  Quaker,  who  one  day  came  to  hear  me, 
asked  me  home  with  him.  When  I  entered  his 
house  I  said,  "  God  has  brought  salvation  to  this 
house."  At  prayer  in  the  evening,  his  daughter 
was  struck  with  conviction,  and  soon  after,  the 
old  man,  his  wife,  three  sons,  and  two  daughters, 
were  all  brought  to  experience  religion,  so  that 
we  had  a  considerable  society. 

A  Baptist  preacher,  who  lived  about  twenty 
miles  distant,  hearing  what  was  going  on  in  the 
neighbourhood,  went  thither  and  preached  the 
necessity  of  Water  Baptism,  and  was  so  success- 
ful as  to  get  six  of  my  sheep  into  the  water,  who 
left  us  and  followed  him.  Elated  with  this  suc- 
cess, he  followed  me  from  place  to  place,  but  all  in 
vain,  for  he  could  not  turn  another  out  of  the  way. 

But  to  return  to  my  appointments.  In  Man- 
nington,  great  congregations  attended.  The  man 
and  his  wife  were  both  awakened,  and  under 
convictions,  and  many  others  were  stirred  up  to 
inquire  the  way  to  Zion.  At  the  second  place, 
the  minister  thereof  attended  ;  I  felt  at  first  a  great 
cross  to  preach  before  him,  he  being  a  learned 
man,  and  I  supposed  he  had  come  to  hear  me 
with  an  evil  design,  as  appeared  afterwards  to  be 
the  case.  However,  I  prayed  to  the  Lord  not  to 
let  me  be  confounded.    After  I  began,  my  cross 


40    Disputes  with  a  Presbyterian  Minister. 


was  but  light,  and  the  minister  who  sat  before  me, 
was  no  more  than  another  sinner.  The  power  of 
God  rested  upon  us,  and  several  cried  aloud,  and 
two  fell  to  the  floor  agonizing  for  salvation. 

I  tarried  all  night,  and  the  minister  and  five  or 
six  of  the  heads  of  the  Presbyterian  Meeting 
spent  the  evening  with  me,  in  order  to  dispute  and 
pick  me  to  pieces  if  possible.  The  minister  asked 
me  if  I  was  a  Wesleyan ;  I  answered,  "Yes." 
"  Then,"  said  he,  "  you  deny  the  perseverance  of 
the  saints."  "God  forbid,"  said  I,  "for  none 
can  be  saved  unless  they  persevere  to  the  end." 
"Then,"  said  he,  "you  believe  the  possibility  of 
falling  from  grace."  I  answered,  "  Yes."  He 
then,  in  a  very  abrupt  manner,  gave  me  the 
lie.  But  when  I  told  him  that  I  could  prove  the 
doctrine  by  the  Word  of  God,  he  very  passion- 
ately gave  me  the  lie  again.  I  quoted  sundry  scrip, 
tures,  particularly  that  of  David's  fall,  and  turned 
to  Ezek.  chap.  iii.  verses  20  and  21,  and  wished 
him  to  read  and  explain  the  passage,  but  he  would 
not  touch  the  Bible.  H:s  elder  said  that  it  read 
as  I  said,  and  he  ought  to  explain  it.  He,  in  a 
passion,  said  he  was  brought  up  in  a  college,  and 
certainly  knew;  but  I  was  a  fool,  and  he  could 
cut  such  a  fellow's  throat;  then  turned  to  his  el- 
der, and  said,  "  If  there  were  a  dog's  head  on  your 
shoulders,  I  would  cut  it  off.  Do  you  not  know 
the  articles  of  your  own  church  ?  I  will  teach 
you  better."  I  told  him  the  curse  of  God  was 
upon  all  such  watchmen  as  he  was,  who  did  not 
warn  the  people  against  sin;  that  if  they  lived 
and  died  in  sin  they  could  not  be  saved;  and  by 
his  doctrine  souls  might  fall  away  and  perish,  but 
their  blood  would  be  found  in  his  skirts.  He  re- 
plied, "  I  could  cut  such  a  fellow's  throat :  it 


Mob  of  Soldiers. 


41 


makes  my  blood  boil  to  hear  the  perseverance  of 
the  saints  denied."  I  then  handed  him  the  Bible 
and  desired  him  to  clear  it  up;  but  he  said, 
"  You  are  a  fool ;  you  know  nothing  at  all.  I 
was  brought  up  at  college,  and  will  have  you  be- 
fore your  betters."  He  got  so  angry  that  he 
could  say  but  little  more.  I  told  him  if  we  were 
ambassadors  for  Christ,  we  ought  to  go  on,  hand 
and  heart,  to  attack  the  devil  in  all  his  strong 
holds.  And  then  asked  the  man  of  the  house  if 
I  should  preach  there  again;  but  the  answer  was, 
"  No."  So  this  place  was  shut  against  me  through 
the  influence  of  the  minister.  But  glory  be  to 
God,  there  were  doors  open  in  Mannington,  so 
that  I  was  at  no  loss  for  places  to  preach  at. 

I  accordingly  preached  at  William  Harvey's, 
where  the  people  came  out  pretty  generally,  and 
the  Lord  wrought  powerfully  among  them.  And 
on  my  return  home,  I  went  with  one  of  my  old 
companions,  who  asked  me  if  I  would  preach  at 
his  house  in  Wood's  Town.  I  told  him  I  would. 
Accordingly)  an  appointment  was  made,  and  we 
had  a  crowded  house.  While  I  was  speaking,  a 
mob  of  soldiers  came  with  their  guns,  and  bayo- 
nets fixed,  and  one  rushed  in,  while  the  rest  sur- 
rounded the  door.  The  people  fled  every  way, 
and  he  presented  his  gun  and  bayonet  as  though 
he  would  run  me  through;  it  passed  close  by  my 
ear  twice.  If  ever  I  preached  the  terrors  of  the 
law,  I  did  it  while  he  was  threatening  me  in  this 
manner,  for  I  felt  no  fear  of  death,  and  soon 
found  he  could  not  withstand  the  force  of  truth; 
he  gave  way,  and  retreated  to  the  door.  They 
endeavoured  to  send  him  back  again,  but  in  vain, 
for  he  refused  to  return.  However,  I  went  on 
and  finished  my  discourse,  and  then  asked  the 


42  Many  Doors  opened. 


man  of  the  house  if  I  should  preach  there  again, 
he  said,  "No,  for  they  will  pull  down  ray  house." 
But  Dr.  Harris  told  me  I  might  preach  in  his 
house.  In  two  weeks  I  attended  at  the  Doctor's, 
and  found  about  one  hundred  men  under  arms. 
When  I  began  to  preach,  they  all  grounded  their 
arms,  and  heard  me  in  a  quiet  orderly  manner. 

About  this  time,  the  government  was  drafting 
the  militia  to  go  into  the  service  of  their  country. 
Among  others,  the  lot  fell  on  me  to  go;  but  as  I 
had  a  call  to  preach,  I  could  not  think  of  going 
out  to  fight.  However,  I  had  to  pay  a  sum  of 
money  sufficient  to  procure  another  man  to  go  in 
my  place. 

I  told  my  wife  that  we  must  remove  from  that 
neighbourhood,  for  we  should  be  ruined  to  stay 
among  a  set  of  people  who,  from  their  enmity, 
were  determined  to  do  me  all  the  injury  they 
could.  Accordingly,  I  rented  a  place  in  Man- 
nington,  near  Salem,  where  the  people  were  more 
friendly,  and  not  so  full  of  the  spirit  of  war. 

Here  I  had  many  doors  opened  for  me  to  preach, 
and  a  powerful  work  of  religion  took  place,  at- 
tended with  several  remarkable  conversions,  which 
I  think  worthy  of  notice.  One  was  a  woman, 
who,  after  returning  home  from  preaching  under 
great  conviction,  applied  herself  to  prayer*  And 
while  she  was  about  her  house-work,  and  as  she 
walked  across  the  floor,  with  her  heart  lifted  up 
to  God  in  penitential  supplication,  the  Lord  ap- 
plied these  words  to  her,  "Go  in  peace,  and  sin 
no  more."  At  that  instant  she  was  brought  into 
liberty,  and  cried  out,  "  I  have  got  the  Lord  !  I 
have  got  the  Lord!"  Her  children  asked  her 
what  was  the  matter,  to  whom  she  repeated  the 
same  words.    They  then  told  her  some  one  was 


A  Woman  in  distress. 


43 


coming:  she  replied,  "I  do  not  care,  for  I  have 
got  the  Lord."  The  man  came  in;  but  she  con- 
tinued to  praise  the  Lord  in  such  a  manner,  that 
he  was  struck  with  deep  conviction. 

Another  instance  was  a  Quaker  woman,  who 
went  from  preaching  under  strong  conviction  and 
such  anguish  of  mind,  that  she  paid  no  attention 
to  her  family,  nor  even  to  her  sucking  child. 
Early  in  the  morning  I  was  sent  for.  When  I 
went  she  was  sitting  with  both  hands  clinched 
fast  in  the  hair  of  her  head  crying  out,  "Lord 
have  mercy  on  me  !  Save,  Lord,  or  I  perish  !  I 
shall  go  to  hell,"  &c.  I  told  her  to  pray  in  faith, 
to  look  to  Jesus  and  lay  hold  of  the  promises, 
and  God  would  have  mercy  on  her;  but  she  re- 
plied, "I  cannot  pray;"  I  said,  "You  do  pray 
very  well;  go  on."  1  then  kneeled  down  and 
prayed:  three  pious  women  who  were  present  did 
likewise.  One  of  the  women  said,  she  could  not 
pray  in  English.  I  told  her  to  pray  in  Dutch, 
for  God  understood  that  as  well  as  English.  The 
distressed  woman  appeared  to  be  worse,  like  one 
going  distracted.  I  then  sang  the  hymn  com- 
posed for  one  possessed  of  an  evil  spirit : — 

"  King  of  kings,  spread  thy  wings, 

Christ  our  weakness  cover, 

Till  the  storm  is  over,"  &c. 

Mrhen  these  last  words  were  sung,  I  felt  such 
faith,  that  I  told  them  the  Lord  would  deliver 
her;  and  said,  "Let  us  pray."  I  kneeled  down; 
in  a  few  minutes  she  clasped  her  hands  together 
and  cried,  "My  Lord,  my  God,  and  my  Father  !" 
Her  soul  was  immediately  set  at  liberty,  and  she 
sprang  up  rejoicing,  praising,  and  giving  glory  to 
God.  Her  husband  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears 
and  said,  "If  my  wife,  who  has  been  so  good, 


44         A  man  under  great  convictions. 


had  to  undergo  such  distress,  what  will  become 
of  me  ?"  I  exhorted  him  to  look  to  God,  and  he 
would  find  mercy.  In  about  six  weeks  after  he 
was  safely  converted.  One  of  the  women  pre- 
sent, who  had  been  converted  some  time  before, 
was  now  thrown  into  doubts,  and  said  she  feared 
she  never  was  converted,  because  she  never  was 
wrought  upon  in  such  an  extraordinary  manner. 
I  told  her  that  was  no  proof,  for  I  was  not 
wrought  upon  in  that  manner  myself,  yet  I  knew 
that  I  was  converted.  God  works  upon  his  peo- 
ple as  he  in  his  wisdom  sees  best:  that  no  one's 
distress  could  be  a  standard  for  another;  so  that 
if  our  sins  and  guilt  are  removed,  and  the  power 
of  religion  is  fixed  in  the  soul,  it  is  enough. 
None  should  doubt  it  because  they  were  not 
brought  in  as  they  see  others.  This  was  a  trick 
of  the  devil  to  rob  her  of  her  confidence.  How- 
ever, she  was  doubtful  for  three  days;  then  the 
Lord  blessed  her  with  such  light  and  comfort, 
that  every  fear  and  doubt  were  removed. 

About  the  same  time  a  man  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, under  great  convictions,  came  to  see  me. 
Upon  his  way  he  was  tempted  to  believe  that  the 
scripture  which  says,  "If  thy  right  hand  offend 
thee,  cut  it  off  and  cast  it  from  thee,"  must  be 
literally  obeyed.  He  felt  for  his  knife  to  try  it, 
but  had  it  not  with  him.  He  told  me  his  dis- 
tress, which  both  surprised  and  rejoiced  me.  He 
had  lately  been  a  bitter  enemy  to  religion,  and 
had  used  his  wife  ill  on  account  of  her  being  re- 
ligious. After  some  conversation,  I  went  to  pray 
with  him;  my  wife  and  two  or  three  of  the  chil- 
dren prayed  also;  but  he  got  no  relief.  As  he 
was  returning  on  his  way  home,  he  was  struck  to 
the  ground  by  the  power  of  God,  and  never  arose 
until  his"soul  was  set  at  liberty. 


A  Roman  Catholic  converted.  45 


Another  instance  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  whose 
wife  was  religions.  One  Sunday  morning  he 
wanted  her  to  go  a  visiting  with  him  instead  of 
going  to  meeting,  which  she  refused,  being  de- 
termined to  go  to  meeting.  This  threw  him  into 
a  great  passion ;  however,  he  set  off  alone  upon 
his  intended  visit;  but  before  he  had  gone  far, 
he  concluded  he  would  return,  and  with  malice 
and  murder  in  his  heart  determining  that  she 
should  go  with  him,  or  he  would  kill  her.  When 
he  returned,  she  met  him  and  spoke  to  him  with 
such  tenderness,  that  his  rage  calmed  away.  He 
concluded  he  would  go  with  her  to  the  meeting. 
They  both  came;  and  under  preaching,  the  word 
struck  him  with  such  power,  that  he  cried  aloud 
under  guijt  and  condemnation ;  and  before  all 
the  congregation,  told  what  had  passed  in  the 
morning,  and  wanted  to  know  what  he  should  do 
to  be  saved.  I  explained  to  him  the  way  and 
plan  of  salvation ;  and  in  a  short  time  after  he 
found  peace,  and  became  a  steady,  religious  man. 

A  young  woman  came  to  me  one  day  after 
preaching,  under  great  distress.  I  asked  her  if 
she  had  not  followed  the  devil's  musicians — the 
fiddlers.  She  said  she  had  danced  many  a  time, 
and  even  all  night.  I  told  her  then,  to  pray  all 
night  until  God  had  pardoned  her.  She  said  she 
would.  Accordingly  she  returned  home  under 
great  distress,  and  prayed  the  whole  night.  Next 
morning  the  Lord  blessed  her  soul. 

Another  young  woman  came  to  me,  and  asked 
what  she  should  do  to  be  saved.  I  pointed  her 
to  the  Lord  and  to  the  promises.  This  was  Sab- 
bath-day, she  went  home  with  us,  and  I  told  her 
to  stay,  for  so  long  as  she  prayed,  so  long  she 
would  be  welcome.    Her  distress  increased  until 


46        A  Schoolmaster  in  great  distress. 


Tuesday  morning.  All  the  preceding  night  I 
heard  her  mourning  and  lamenting.  At  break- 
fast, her  distress  was  so  great  that  she  could  not 
eat,  but  retired  into  the  woods  to  pray,  where  she 
continued  until  she  found  the  Lord,  and  returned 
rejoicing  in  God  her  Saviour. 

A  school-master  in  the  neighbourhood,  who 
was  a  learned  sensible  man,  but  a  very  drunken 
and  wicked  one,  got  awakened  and  so  far  re- 
formed, that  he  left  off  drinking  to  excess  and 
other  vices,  for  some  time.  But  at  a  certain  time 
he  gave  way  to  temptation,  and  was  overcome  by 
strong  drink.  After  he  got  sober,  his  mind  was 
tormented  with  great  horror,  and  he  went  to  a 
neighbour's  house  to  tarry  all  night,  and  in  the 
night,  after  the  family  were  all  in  bed,  he  could 
not  sleep,  but  lay  with  tormenting  reflections, 
which  increased  his  fears,  until  at  length  he  ima- 
gined he  saw  two  devils  enter  the  room  in  order 
to  take  him  away.  This  frightened  him  out  of 
bed,  and  he  ran  up  into  one  corner  of  the  room, 
and  there  screamed  and  fought  as  though  he  was 
fighting  and  beating  off  the  two  devils.  This 
alarmed  the  whole  family,  who  arose  in  great 
confusion,  and  could  not  tell  what  to  do.  They 
sent  for  me;  I  went  and  found  him  in  a  shocking 
condition.  I  told  him  it  was  only  the  strength 
of  imagination,  that  there  were  no  devils  there  to 
take  him  away;  but  he  still  declared  they  were  in 
the  room;  and  what  added  to  the  awfulness  of 
the  scene  was,  that  a  very  dark  and  dismal  cloud 
arose  at  this  time  in  the  skies,  and  gave  awful 
sensations  to  all  who  beheld  it.  At  length  a 
most  remarkable  flash  of  lightning  came  blazing 
from  the  clouds,  and  the  streams  of  lightning 
flashed  into  the  house,  and  a  tremendous  clap  of 


Dreadful  Storm  of  Thunder  <J  Lightning.  47 

thunder,  equal  to  any  I  ever  heard,  hurst  forth  as 
if  the  place  had  been  sinking,  and  the  very  house 
trembled:  at  that  instant  I  felt  the  power  of  the 
Lord,  like  lightning,  run  through  me.  I  in- 
stantly went  to  prayer,  and  they  all  fell  upon 
their  knees  and  were  much  affected,  and  continu- 
ed in  supplication  during  the  whole  night.  Soon 
after  this,  all  the  upgrown  part  of  the  family 
were  brought  into  the  liberty  and  knowledge  of 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

I  shall  here  mention  a  circumstance,  which  I 
hope  will  be  a  warning  to  parents  who  oppose 
their  children  in  religious  sentiments.  A  young 
man,  the  only  son  of  a  professed  Quaker,  got 
awakened  by  hearing  the  Methodist  preachers, 
and  applied  himself  to  prayer  and  reading  the 
scriptures:  he  was  likely  to  go  on  well  in  religion, 
until  his  father  and  mother,  with  great  obstinacy 
and  bigotry,  violently  opposed  his  going  among 
the  Methodists,  as  though  methodism  was  the 
worst  thing  in  the  world;  nothing  would  do  but 
the  son  must  be  a  Quaker.  At  length,  by  their 
violence  and  displeasure,  he  was  kept  from  meet- 
ing, and  from  going  amongst  the  Methodist 
friends.  It  had  a  very  different  effect  on  the 
poor  unfortunate  young  man;  for,  instead  of  be- 
coming a  religious  Quaker,  he  soon  became  the 
most  profligate  youth  in  that  part.  God  took  his 
father  and  mother  into  eternity.  This  same 
young  man,  in  a  few  years,  ran  through  a  large 
estate  left  him  by  his  father,  and  Salem  jail  be- 
came his  habitation. 

I  do  verily  believe,  that  the  violent  opposition 
of  his  parents  was  the  cause  of  his  desperate 
courses,  which  brought  him  to  poverty  and 
shame.    Oil  !  how  careful  parents  and  others 


48 


Warning  to  Parents. 


ought  to  be,  not  to  use  violence  or  severity  with 
children  in  matters  of  religion  and  conscience: 
how  dreadful,  for  those  who  profess  religion 
themselves,  to  be  guilty  of  it.  It  evidently  arises 
from  the  same  mistaken  bigoted  spirit  that  burnt 
the  Protestants  under  Queen  Mary  of  Britain, 
and  hanged  the  Quakers  in  New-England:  whe- 
ther it  be  among  Quakers,  Methodists,  Presby- 
terians, Churchmen,  Roman  Catholics,  or  any 
other  denomination,  it  is  contrary  to  the  spirit  of 
Christianity.  It  is  one  principal  objection  1  have 
to  the  conduct  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  that 
they  are  so  bigoted  to  their  own  notions,  forms, 
and  mode,  that  they  will  not  allow  their  children 
to  attend  even  the  most  plain  and  religious 
preaching  in  the  world,  provided  it  is  not  among 
themselves.  I  have  known  instances  of  their 
young  people  being  awakened  under  our  preach- 
ers, and  they  have  been  restrained  by  their  pa- 
rents, and  the  heads  of  their  meeting,  to  their 
great  injury;  and  sometimes,  I  fear,  to  their 
eternal  ruin. 

So  sacred  do  they  hold  their  right  in  member- 
ship, although  mostly  obtained  by  birth,  that, 
generally  speaking,  they  appear  better  contented 
that  their  children  should  remain  irreligious 
within  the  pale  of  their  own  church,  than  that 
they  should  become  really  religious  among  any 
other  people.  But  to  me  it  appears  strange,  that 
a  people  whose  predecessors  were  so  tenacious  for 
liberty  of  conscience,  should  fall  into  the  same 
error  that  they  so  loudly  condemned  in  othersV 
as  if  it  were  a  greater  crime  in  a  Churchman  or 
a  Presbyterian  to  restrain  a  child  from  going  to  a 
Quaker  meeting,  than  for  a  Quaker  to  restrain 
one  from  going  to  a  Methodist  or  other  religious 


Happy  Death  of  his  San.  VJ 

meeting.  They  cry  oiit  in  the  same  language 
against  others,  that  others  did  against  them;  so 
that  they  are  become  too  much  initiated  into  the 
same  spirit  of  bigotry,  which  they  have  carried 
to  so  great  a  pitch,  that  they  will  not  allow  a 
minister  of  Christ,  if  he  had  as  much  grace  as 
the  apostle  Paul,  to  preach  in  one  of  their  meet- 
ing-houses, unless  a  member  of  their  own  church. 
But  for  my  part,  I  do  not  believe  that  religion 
consists  in  either  form  or  mode.  Neither  do  I 
believe  a  record  of  our  names  on  any  church-book 
under  heaven,  will  stand  the  test  in  the  awful 
hour  of  accounts,  unless  they  are  recorded  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life.  For  my  part,  I  love  real 
heart-religion,  let  me  find  it  where  I  may. 

The  second  year  that  I  lived  in  the  township 
of  Mannington,  about  the  last  of  December,  I 
lost  my  son  Benjamin.  He  was  in  the  fourteenth 
year  of  his  age,  and  had  been  experienced  in  re- 
ligion from  the  age  of  seven.  When  death  was 
upon  him,  I  said,  "  Benny,  do  you  know  you  are 
dying?"  He  asked  me  if  I  thought  he  was.  I 
said,  "Yes,  in  a  little  time  you  will  stand  before 
the  eternal  God."  He  instantly  prayed  as  though 
he  had  been  in  perfect  health:  while  he  was  at 
prayer  every  person  in  the  room  wept,  and  some 
cried  quite  loud.  He  then,  with  a  loud  and 
strong  voice,  exhorted  the  neighbours  who  were 
present,  to  prepare  to  stand  before  God,  and 
turning  to  his  brothers  and  sisters,  he  exhorted 
them  to  prepare  to  meet  him  at  the  right  hand  of 
God.  I  then  called  my  wife  to  come  and  see  her 
son  die.  She  came  and  asked  him  if  he  had  any 
doubt.  He  answered  with  great  fervour,  '!No, 
mamma;  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth  !" 
He  then  looked  at  me  and  said,  "  Daddy,  I  shall 
D 


50 


A  Dream. 


meet  you  again  in  paradise."  He  then  pointed 
with  his  finger  and  said,  "Who  are  those  two 
men  standing  in  white  raiment?  I  lone,  to  get 
to  them.  I  am  going;"  and  that  moment  he 
died,  and  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  without 
a  sigh,  a  groan,  or  a  struggle. 

On  this  occasion  God  gave  me  resignation: 
though  as  a  father,  I  felt  the  loss  of  my  son,  yet 
I  rejoiced  that  God  had  taken  him  to  reign  with 
Jesus  in  a  hetter  world.  I  exhorted  those  who 
were  present  not  to  cry,  for  God  had  answered 
my  prayer,  in  giving  him  a  happy  end,  that  his 
soul  might  he  conducted  by  angels  to  paradise.  I 
believe  when  he  pointed  with  his  finger  and 
asked,  who  they  were  who  were  standing  in 
white,  that  he  then  saw  the  angels  ready  to  ac- 
company him  to  heaven. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Great  wonders  —  Swearing  Jack  —  A  Captain  anil  Soldiers 
come  to  take  him  up — Visits  his  relations  —  Aunt  bom 
again — Determined  to  preach  sanetilieation. 

One  Saturday  night,  I  dreamed  that  a  man 
came  to  meeting,  and  staid  in  class,  and  spake  as 
I  never  had  heard  any  before.  Next  day,  James 
Stirling  came  to  meeting,  staid  in  class,  and 
spake  as  much  as  I  had  heard  and  seen  in  my 
dream.  After  meeting  I  said  to  my  wife,  that 
was  the  very  man  I  had  seen  in  my  dream,  and 
the  Lord  would  add  him  to  his  church  :  soon  af- 
ter, he  was  thoroughly  awakened  and  converted 
to  God.  He  yet  stands  fast  among  us,  a  useful 
and  distinguished  member,  well  known  by  many 
of  our  preachers  and  members.    Various  and 


Extraordinary  timet. 


61 


many  are  the  particular  instances  of  God's  great 
goodness  and  power;  but  to  mention  them  all, 
would  swell  this  work  too  large. 

The  work  became  pretty  general;  we  used  to 
hold  prayer-meetings  two  or  three  times  a  week 
in  the  evening,  and  often  they  have  continued 
until  twelve  or  one  o'clock  in  the  morning;  some- 
times we  would  begin  preaching  at  eleven  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon,  and  meeting  not  break  up  till 
night;  many  long  summer  days  we  thus  spent. 
Sometimes  we  used  to  assemble  in  the  woods,  and 
under  the  trees ;  there  not  being  room  in  the 
house  for  the  people  that  attended.  Often,  some 
of  them  would  be  struck  to  the  ground  in  bitter 
lamentations.  The  Lord  wrought  great  wonders 
among  us.  It  was  truly  a  fulfilment  of  that 
scripture  which  says,  "I  work  a  work  in  your 
days,  a  work  which  ye  shall  in  no  wise  believe, 
though  a  man  declare  it  unto  you."  Acts  xiii.  41. 

Some  very  pious  men  thought  strange  of  it,  and 
some  preachers,  when  they  visited  us,  could  bald- 
ly bear  it.  They  thought  we  carried  matters  too 
far ;  one  of  them,  who  was  a  great  man  of  God, 
when  he  came  one  evening,  we  had  one  of  these 
extraordinary  times.  At  first  he  opposed  it  very 
pointedly;  but  afterwards,  dear  man,  he  was 
greatly  troubled  about  it,  and  expressed  great 
sorrow  that  he  had  opposed  it.  I  gave  it  as  my 
opinion,  that  we  ought  always  to  be  very  careful 
and  cautious  how  we  oppose  those  powerful  meet- 
ings, lest,  thereby,  we  grieve  the  Spirit  of  God, 
and  injure  souls,  and  thus  be  found  fighting 
against  God. 

The  alarm  spread  far  and  near.  The  friends 
sent  for  me  to  come  to  the  New-Mills,  about  sixty 
miles  distant;  I  got  readv,  and  went  a  day's  jour- 
P  2 


52 


Some  Indians  affected. 


ney  to  a  small  village,  and  preached  at  night. 
In  the  morning,  my  horse  was  gone;  we  hunted 
for  him,  but  all  in  vain.  I  wrote  some  advertise- 
ments and  returned  home. 

They  sent  for  me  again,  accordingly  I  went, 
and  the  first  time  I  preached,  God  worked  power- 
fully; we  had  a  weeping  time,  and  one  fell  to  the 
floor;  this  alarmed  the  people,  for  they  had  never 
seen  the  like  before.  When  meeting  was  over, 
we  took  him  to  a  friend's  house,  and  prayer 
was  made  for  him  till  the  Lord  set  his  soul  at 
liberty,  and  he  rejoiced  in  the  love  of  God.  Word 
being  sent  to  his  sister,  that  he  had  found  the 
Lord,  she  said,  "If  my  brother  has  found  the 
Lord,  I  will  never  rest  until  I  find  him."  She 
locked  herself  up  in  a  room,  and  there  prayed  all 
night.  In  the  morning  the  Lord  broke  in  on  her 
soul  with  such  rapture  of  joy  that  she  alarmed  the 
town,  and  many  came  to  see  what  was  the  matter; 
she  told  them  she  had  found  the  Lord. 

Next  day  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  poured  out 
his  Spirit  among  us,  so  that  there  was  weeping  in 
abundance,  and  one  fell  to  the  floor;  many  prayers 
being  made  for  him,  he  found  peace  before  he 
arose.  He  is  a  living  witness  to  this  day.  I  saw 
him  not  long  since,  and  we  had  a  precious  time 
together. 

Next  day  I  travelled  some  miles,  and  preached 
in  a  Presbyterian  meeting-house.  I  had  a  large 
congregation,  and  spoke  from  these  words,  ''Ye 
must  be  born  again."  God  attended  the  word 
with  power ;  some  wept,  some  groaned,  and  others 
cried  aloud.  I  believe  there  were  about  twenty 
Indians  present,  and  when  I  came  out  of  the  pul- 
pit, they  got  all  round  me,  asking  what  they 
should  do  to  be  saved,  and  tears  ran  in  abundance: 


Swearing  Jack.  53 


many  of  the  -white  people  also  wept.  This  was  a 
day  of  God's  power;  from  the  accounts  afterwards 
given  me,  twelve  were  converted  and  many 
awakened.  One,  who  was  a  deacon  in  the  church, 
found  the  Lord  and  joined  our  society ;  I  have 
spent  many  precious  moments  with  him  since  that 
day.  Here  I  told  my  experience,  and  it  proved  a 
blessing  to  many  souls. 

One  young  man,  who  went  by  the  name  of 
Swearing  Jack  on  account  of  his  profaneness  in 
conversation,  said,  "Such  a  man  has  been  as  bad 
as  myself,  and  if  he  has  found  peace  to  his  soul 
why  not  I  ?"  From  that  very  hour  he  began  to 
amend  his  life,  and  soon  found  the  Lord  precious 
to  his  soul,  and  joined  class.  At  quarterly  meet- 
ing I  heard  him  speak  his  experience,  and  the 
goodness  of  God  to  his  soul;  and  the  first  words/ 
he  spoke  were,  "  Here  stands  Swearing  Jack !  by 
God  has  pardoned  all  my  sins;"  which  made  .» 
deep  impression  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  and 
we  had  a  precious  melting  time. 

Next  day,  I  preached  at  a  place  called  Turnip- 
hill,  and  we  had  a  precious  season.  On  my  way 
to  my  next  appointment,  I  came  to  a  small  village, 
and  stopped  at  a  house  and  asked  the  man  if  they 
had  any  preaching  there,  he  said,  "No."  I  said, 
"  I  am  a  preacher,  and  if  you  will  give  notice,  I 
will  preach  to  the  people;"  but  he  replied,  "  They 
do  not  want  preaching  here,"  and  appeared  an- 
gry. I  then  told  my  experience  to  the  man,  his 
wife,  and  two  young  women;  and  the  dreadful 
state  man  was  in  by  nature:  and  then  pointed  out 
a  Saviour.  One  of  the  young  women  began  to 
weep;  I  was  very  happy,  and  asked  the  man  if  I 
might  pray;  he  gave  me  leave,  and  I  said,  "Let 
us  pray."    I  had  no  sooner  begun,  than  they 


54 


He  vitltt  an  Uncle. 


wept  aloud;  after  prayer  he  asked  me  if  I  would 
take  dinner,  and  have  my  horse  fed;  I  thanked 
him  and  told  him  I  had  no  occasion  for  any,  but 
if  he  would  feed  my  horse,  I  would  thank  him: 
he  did  so,  and  I  left  them  all  in  tears.  I  saw  one 
of  the  young  women  some  time  afterwards,  and 
she  told  me  she  was  awakened  at  that  time,  and 
had  since  found  the  Lord  precious  to  her  soul, 
and  joined  class.  This  shows  us  that  we  ought 
to  "Sow  our  seed  in  the  morning,  and  in  the 
evening  withhold  not  our  hand,  for  we  knotv  not 
which  will  prosper,  this  or  that,  or  both  alike." 
I  went  on  to  my  appointment;  here  the  devil  was 
very  angry:  I  gave  it  out  to  preach  on  my  return, 
and  they  threatened,  if  I  came  again,  to  tar  and 
feather  me. 

I  went  to  Trenton,  and  our  meeting-house 
being  turned  into  a  stable  by  the  army,  they 
gave  me  leave  to  preach  in  the  Presbyterian 
meeting-house.  There  was  a  large  congregation 
of  dead  professors.  Next  morning,  on  my  way 
to  the  next  appointment,  I  stopped  at  an  uncle's 
that  I  had  not  seen  for  seventeen  years.  As 
soon  as  I  saw  the  house,  I  felt  that  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  would  come  upon  me  there;  and  as  I 
set  my  foot  upon  the  steps  of  the  door,  the  Spirit 
of  God  came  on  me.  After  asking  them  how 
they  all  did,  I  told  them  my  experience.  My 
uncle  and  aunt  wept  sore,  and  cried  out,  "The 
Lord  is  here!"  A  friend  being  present  said, 
"He  is  come,  for  I  feel  his  Spirit  upon  me;"  which 
caused  my  aunt  to  wonder  what  this  meant.  The 
friend  asked  me  if  I  would  go:  I  said  "If  uncle 
Joseph  will  go  with  me,  I  will  stay  until  evening." 
He  said  he  would,  so  I  stayed  and  they  went  with 
me;  I  preached,  and  we  had  a  melting  time. 


Many  awakened. 


65 


Next  day  I  went  to  brother  S.  F.'s,  and  preach- 
ed in  the  evening  to  a  crowded  congregation,  and 
(rod  poured  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that 
one  tell  on  the  floor.  A  captain  and  some  soldiers 
came  to  take  me  up,  hut  the  Spirit  of  God  took 
the  captain  up  in  such  a  manner,  that  he  return, 
ed  home,  crying  to  God  for  mercy.  For  six 
weeks  his  distress  was  so  great  that  they  had  to 
watch  him  for  fear  he  would  make  away  with 
himself;  but  the  Lord  sent  the  Comforter  to  his 
soul,  and  rilled  him  with  joy  unspeakable.  I  saw 
him  some  time  after  happy  in  God.  We  spent  a 
precious  time  together,  and  parted  in  love.  This 
meeting  was  a  time  of  God's  power,  and  many 
were  awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  danger,  and 
the  people  of  God  were  happy ;  and  for  my  part, 
I  was  very  happy. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  and  preached 
with  power;  we  had  a  melting  time.  One  young 
woman  being  powerfully  awakened  cried  out,  "I 
see  Moses  and  Elias!"  repeating  it  many  times 
over.  I  said,  "See  Jesus!"  She  replied,  "He 
is  coming !"  And  clasping  her  arms  to  her  body 
cried  several  times,  "I  have  got  him  !  I  have  got 
him!"  and  sprang  up,  shouting  praises  to  God 
for  her  soul's  deliverance.  I  said,  "  If  you  have 
got  him,  he  sure  to  keep  him  close  to  your  heart." 
"  I  will,"  said  she. 

There  was  also  present  a  Quaker  woman,  the 
wife  of  a  Quaker  preacher's  son,  who  resided  in 
Pennsylvania;  she  had  dreamed  the  night  before, 
that  she  saw  two  doves,  the  one  milk-white,  and 
the  other  speckled,  and  that  she  must  go  to  the 
place,  and  they  would  lead  her  to  u  spring  as 
clear  as  crystal,  and  there  she  should  drink  her 
fill.     Next  morning,  on  the  strength  of  her 


56        A  Quaker  woman  in  great  distress. 

dream,  she  took  her  horse  and  chaise,  and  crossed 
the  Delaware  river,  and  came  to  the  house  just 
as  I  was  going  to  preach  in  the  evening.  The 
Lord  sent  the  word  to  her  heart  with  such  power 
that  she  cried  out,  "  I  shall  be  dead  and  damned 
before  morning  1"  Many  prayers  were  sent  up 
to  God  on  her  behalf. 

This  meeting  continued  till  eleven  o'clock.  We 
then  retired  to  bed,  and  in  the  dead  of  the  night, 
she  and  the  woman  of  the  house  came  into  the 
room  where  we  lay,  wringing  her  hands  and 
crying,  "I  shall  be  dead  and  damned  before 
morning!"  desiring  that  we  would  j>et  up  and 
pray  for  her;  we  arose,  and  she  related  her 
dream.  The  woman  of  the  house  said  these  are 
the  two  doves.  It  struck  me  like  a  clap  of 
thunder,  "I  am  the  speckled  one."  This  caused 
me  to  search  my  heart.  I  exhorted  her  to  pray 
for  herself;  she  did  so,  again  and  again,  and  we 
did  {he  same  for  her;  I  then  exhorted  her  to  be- 
lieve on  the  Lord  Jesus;  but  she  still  received  no 
answer  of  peace  to  her  soul.  We  retired  to  bed 
again;  but  she  walked  the  floor  the  remainder  of 
the  night.  I  think  I  never  saw  a  poor  soul  in 
deeper  distress. 

In  the  morning,  after  prayer,  I  took  my  fare- 
well  of  the  family:  to  her  I  said,  "I  never  ex- 
pect to  see  thee  any  more,  until  I  see  thee  in  a 
world  of  spirits;"  but  she  replied,  "Thou  wilt 
see  me  again,"  and  asked  me  when  I  would  be  at 
home;  I  told  her,  and  exhorted  her  to  be  en- 
gaged with  God,  and  he  would  bless  her  soul. 
The  woman  of  the  house  told  me,  that  she  in- 
tended to  come  to  my  house  as  soon  as  I  got 
home.  But  in  two  or  three  days  she  found  God 
precious  to  her  soul.    I  saw  her  again  about 


Preaches  to  a  hard  hearted  people. 


57 


sixteen  years  after,  and  we  had  a  precious  time 
in  conversing  together  on  the  things  of  God;  she 
could  then  talk  Canaan's  language. 

On  Sabbath  day  I  preached  in  the  morning  at 
the  preaching-house,  to  a  number  of  people;  after 
meeting,  my  nephew  asked  me  to  dine  with  him, 
with  about  a  dozen  more.  When  we  sat  down  I 
asked  God  for  a  blessing,  and  he  poured  out  his 
Spirit  in  such  a  manner  that  the  tears  flowed  in 
abundance.  I  exhorted  them  all  to  fly  to  Jesus. 
My  soul  was  so  happy,  that  I  could  not  eat:  they 
then  said  to  me,  "  Why  do  you  not  eat  ?"  I 
answered,  "God  has  given  me  meat  to  eat  that 
ye  know  not  of."  Upon  this  we  had  a  shower  of 
tears,  and  dinner  was  laid  by.  I  said,  "Let  us 
pray;"  and  we  all  kneeled  down  at  the  table  and 
I  prayed:  one  cried  out  for  mercy.  When  I 
arose  I  gave  them  an  exhortation;  and  then  went 
on  to  my  other  appointment,  and  preached  in  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house,  to  a  hard  hearted 
people. 

On  Monday  I  went  to  see  some  relations  that 
I  had  not  seen  for  many  years.  When  I  came  to 
the  ferry,  and  had  paid  my  passage,  I  met  my 
uncle  and  aunt,  whom  I  shook  hands  with;  and 
she  said,  "Benjamin,  I  have  had  not  rest  since  I 
saw  your  face,  but  am  like  Noah's  dove  out  of 
the  ark." 

We  all  went  together  to  another  of  my  aunt's; 
whom  I  informed,  that  if  she  would  give  notice 
to  her  neighbours,  I  would  preach  to  them.  Ac- 
cordingly, she  sent  her  boys  round  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  we  had  a  large  congregation. 
After  preaching,  some  of  my  relations  tarried,  to 
whom  I  related  the  works  of  God  which  I  had 
seen  in  many  places,  and  also  my  conviction  and 


58  Tell*  hi*  experience. 


conversion,  and  asked  them  if  they  had  ever 
found  such  a  change  in  their  hearts.  They  said, 
"No."  We  had  a  weeping  time  all  the  evening; 
my  aunt  that  was  awakened,  often  withdrew  from 
us;  and  they  said  to  her,  "  What  is  the  matter; 
are  you  sick?"  I  desired  them  to  let  her  alone; 
about  twelve  o'clock  we  went  to  bed,  but  sleep 
departed  from  me,  and  I  prayed  for  her  all  night; 
and  in  the  morning  when  I  arose,  my  uncle  and 
aunt  were  not  up;  but  when  they  came  out  of 
the  room  I  saw  an  alteration  in  her  face,  and 
wanted  to  get  at  her  heart,  and  therefore  said, 
"  The  darkest  time  of  the  night  was  just  before 
day;"  they  replied,  "Yes."  "Just  so,"  said  I, 
"it  is  with  the  soul;  the  devils  seem  ready  to 
take  it  away  just  before  its  conversion."  "  This," 
said  she,  "was  the  case  with  me;  I  prayed  in  an 
agony  all  night,  expecting  to  be  in  hell  before 
morning,  and  did  sweat  to  that  degree,  that  I  be- 
lieve I  had  noc  a  dry  thread  on  me.  I  besought 
the  Lord,  that  if  he  would  not  hear  me,  that  he 
would  hear  your  prayers  for  me.  I  saw  your 
prayers  before  the  Father  and  the  Son  in  my  be- 
half, and  I  felt  my  burthen  removed,  and  such 
joy  in  my  heart,  that  I  was  as  one  illuminated 
with  the  love  of  God  in  my  soul;  I  clasped  my 
husband  in  my  arms  for  joy,  and  told  him  what 
great  things  God  had  done  for  my  soul;  and  I 
now  feel  the  same  power."  They  all  wept,  and 
I  said,  "This  is  the  religion  of  Jesus." 

I  took  my  leave  of  them,  and  went  to  see  an 
aunt  that  was  a  Quaker:  after  some  conversa- 
tion, I  told  my  experience,  and  asked  if  I  should 
go  to  prayer;  she  replied,  "Thee  may;"  I  did 
so,  and  we  had  a  melting  time;  even  the  little 
children  wept.    I  left  them  all  in  tears,  and  went 


A  ylorkmt  light.  50 

with  my  uncle  and  aunt  to  the  ferry;  and  told 
them  to  go  on  Thursday  and  join  the  class,  and 
so  we  parted.  I  went  to  Trenton,  and  told  bro. 
ther  Cotts  what  the  Lord  had  done,  and  advised 
him  to  go  and  meet  the  class:  he  did  so;  my  uncle 
and  aunt  were  there.  After  class,  she  desired  the 
Lord  to  shew  her  what  to  do;  and  as  they  were 
riding  home,  the  night  being  very  dark,  a  glori- 
ous light  shone  all  round  the  waggon,  so  that  she 
said  she  could  see  to  pick  up  a  pin.  She  then 
asked  them  if  they  saw  the  light,  they  said  they 
did  see  it.  "Now,"  said  she,  "I  will  join  tho 
class;"  and  so  she  did,  and  became  a  worthy 
member,  and  remains  so  to  this  day. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  they 
had  threatened  to  tar  and  feather  me.  Some  ad- 
vised me  to  go  another  way;  but  when  I  had  ar- 
rived at  the  place,  I  found  a  large  congregation 
assembled,  to  whom  I  preached,  and  God  attend- 
ed the  word  with  power;  many  shed  tears  in 
abundance.  One  young  woman  stood  by  the  fire 
and  leaned  her  head  against  the  mantel-piece,  and 
wept  to  that  degree  that  the  tears  dropped  on  the 
hearth  until  they  made  a  small  puddle.  When  I 
came  to  my  application,  I  told  them  I  came  to 
seek  a  bride  for  my  Master,  and  added,  "If  you 
will  deal  kindly  with  him,  tell  me."  Upon  which, 
the  young  woman  pressed  through  the  crowd  to 
me  and  said,  "I  will  go  with  all  my  heart."  I 
applied  all  the  promises  that  I  was  able,  and  told 
her  that  He  would  receive  her. 

As  I  was  about  to  depart,  two  young  men 
came  to  me;  one  took  hold  of  my  leg,  the  other 
held  my  horse  by  the  neck  and  said,  "Will  you 
go  ?"  I  sat  on  my  horse  for  some  time  exhort- 
ing them  to  persevere,  and  the  Lord  would  bless 


GO         Many  Presbyterians  join  Society. 

them:  many  more  stood  weeping:  so  we  parted, 
and  I  went  to  the  New-Mills.  Here  the  people 
came  out  by  hundreds,  to  whom  I  preached  my 
farewell  sermon.  I  returned  home,  and  by 
Thursday  night  a  letter  was  sent  informing  me 
sixteen  were  justified,  and  two  sanctified.  The 
reading  of  this  letter  filled  my  soul  with  love, 
and  I  was  determined  to  preach  sanctification 
more  than  ever. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Sheep  stolen— Persecutor  stopped— Power  of  God — Preaches 
on  the  words  of  the  Devil — Many  struck  down — Remark- 
able experience. 

I  received  a  letter  from  a  Presbyterian  in 
Deerfield,  informing  me  that  his  house  and  heart 
were  open  to  receive  me,  that  they  had  sinners  in 
Deerfield,  adding,  "When  you  read  these  lines, 
look  upon  it  as  a  call  from  God."  I  accordingly 
wrote  to  him  to  make  an  appointment  for  me  on 
the  Sunday  following.  I  attended  and  found  a 
large  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached,  and 
some  few  wept.  I  attended  again  that  day  two 
weeks,  and  we  had  a  melting  time.  I  then  made 
an  appointment  for  the  Travelling  Preacher. 
This,  and  several  other  places  in  the  neighbour, 
hood,  were  taken  into  the  circuit.  The  Lord  be- 
gan to  work  in  a  powerful  manner,  and  we  soon 
had  two  classes;  then  the  devil  roared  horribly; 
but  God  worked  powerfully:  many  of  the  Pres- 
byterians joined  society,  some  of  whom  were  had 
up  before  the  Presbyterian  church,  but  all  to  no 
purpose;  they  stood  fast,  and  the  Lord  blessed 
the  word,  and  sent  it  with  power  to  many  hearts. 


Nine  Sheep  stolen. 


SI 


Many  fell  under  the  mighty  power  of  God  like 
dead  men,  being  alarmed  of  their  danger.  We 
appointed  a  watch-night;  this  brought  so  many  to 
see  what  it  meant,  that  the  house  could  not  con- 
tain the  people.  One  of  our  preachers  preached, 
and  then  an  exhortation  was  given:  the  Lord 
poured  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  the 
slain  lay  all  over  the  house;  many  others  were 
prevented  from  falling  by  the  crowd,  which  stood 
so  close  that  they  supported  one  another.  We 
continued  till  about  twelve  o'clock,  and  some 
stayed  all  night,  and  in  the  morning  others  came: 
several  found  peace,  and  many  cried  to  God  for 
mercy:  it  was  a  powerful  time  to  many  souls. 

Here  my  antagonist,  the  Baptist  preacher,  who 
afterwards  turned  universalist  and  then  deist, 
came  again  and  preached  the  necessity  of  watfr- 
baptism.  He  stole  away  nine  of  our  sheep,  and. 
ran  them  into  a  mill-pond.  This  made  a  division 
amongst  the  people,  but  the  work  of  the  Lord 
went  on,  and  in  less  than  two  years,  those  that 
joined  him,  were  all  fallen  from  grace  except  two. 
"But,"  said  he,  "once  in  grace,  always  in  grace; 
and  God  could  as  soon  fall  as  one  of  you."  How- 
ever, he  soon  showed  his  cloven  foot,  by  turning 
his  back  on  the  church  and  cause  of  God;  and 
preached  up  the  doctrine  the  devil  did  to  Eve, 
"Thou  shalt  not  surely  die;"  that  there  was  no 
hell,  or  place  of  future  punishment.  His  con- 
duct corresponded  with  his  doctrine,  and  they 
were  left  without  a  teacher. 

The  next  meeting  we  had  here,  one  was  sanc- 
tified and  two  were  justified;  at  another,  we  had 
the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp  of  Israel. 

I  went  to  a  quarterly-meeting  at  Morris-River, 
and  we  had  a  powerful  time;  the  slain  lay  all 


62  Many  fall  to  the  floor. 


through  the  house  and  all  round  it,  and  in  the 
woods,  crying  to  God  for  mercy,  and  others 
praising  God  for  the  deliverance  of  their  souls. 
At  this  time  there  came  up  the  river  a  look-out 
boat;  the  crew  landed  and  came  to  the  meeting; 
one  of  them  stood  by  a  woman  that  lay  on  the 
ground  crying  to  God  for  mercy,  and  said  to  her, 
"Why  do  you  not  cry  louder?"  she  immediately 
began  to  pray  for  him,  and  the  power  of  the 
Lord  struck  him  to  the  ground,  and  he  lay  and 
cried  for  mercy  louder  than  the  woman.  This 
meeting  continued  from  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon  till  night.  How  many  were  converted 
or  sanctified,  is  to  me  unknown.  Next  day  I 
preached  at  brother  Golf's  and  had  a  precious 
time. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment  and  preached 
■from  these  words,  "Who  hath  believed  our  re- 
port, and  to  whom  is  the  arm  of  the  Lord  re- 
vealed ?"  One  woman  said,  that  God  had  con- 
verted her  soul.  The  Lord  attended  the  word 
with  power,  and  many  were  melted  into  tears; 
one  drunken  man  made  some  noise,  but  a  magis- 
trate ordered  him  to  behave  himself,  and  we  had 
a  peaceable  waiting  before  the  Lord. 

At  my  next  appointment,  the  Lord  made  bare 
his  arm  of  almighty  power  in  such  a  manner  that 
many  fell  to  the  floor :  their  cries  were  very  great, 
the  sinners  sprang  to  the  doors  and  windows,  and 
fell  one  over  another  in  getting  out;  five  jumped 
out  at  the  window;  and  one  woman  went  close 
by  me  and  cried  out,  "You  are  a  devil!"  A 
young  man  cried  out,  "Command  the  peace!" 
But  the  magistrate  answered,  "It  is  the  power 
of  God."  Another,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  en- 
treated the  people  to  hold  their  peace,  to  which 


Preaches  from  the  words  of  the  Demi.  63 

an  old  woman  replied,  "They  cannot  hold  their 
peace,  unless  you  cut  out  their  tongues."  Glory 
to  God,  this  day  will  never  be  forgotten,  either  in 
time  or  eternity  !  I  was  as  happy  as  I  could 
\\  contain. 

Brother  Creasy  told  me  that  we  should  have 
nobody  out  next  day;  but  I  replied,  that  we 
should  have  the  more;  and  so  it  was,  for  we  had 
a  crowded  congregation,  and  some  cried  out 
under  the  word.  Here  I  was  warmly  attacked 
by  a  Baptist;  but  glory  to  God,  the  scriptures 
were  opened  to  my  mind,  and  he  could  not  with- 
stand the  power  of  truth. 

Next  day  I  preached  at  Mr.  Wolsey's  and  had 
a  melting  time,  and  many  were  much  wrought 
upon.  I  told  the  people  they  had  often  heard 
preaching  from  the  word  of  the  Lord;  but  to- 
morrow, tell  your  neighbours,  I  will  preach  from 
the  words  of  the  devil.  That  night  sleep  de- 
parted from  me,  and  my  mind  was  like  a  troubled 
na.  What  can  you  raise  from  the  words  of  the 
devil?  was  constantly  uppermost  in  my  mind. 
At  length  I  concluded  I  would  take  another  text. 
But  on  a  second  reflection  I  found  this  would 
not  answer,  as  I  should  be  called  a  liar,  and  cause 
the  truth  to  be  evil  spoken  of.  Thus  I  spent  the 
night  in  a  very  restless  manner.  In  the  morning, 
on  my  way  to  the  place  appointed,  I  found  the 
road  crowded  with  people;  when  I  arrived  at  the 
jlace,  I  retired  into  the  woods  and  besought  the 

>  Lord  to  discover  some  way  to  me,  that  I  might 
leliver  his  word,  if  consistent  to  his  will,  from 

j  be  text  I  proposed.  I  then  returned  in  heavi- 
ness to  the  house,  where  I  found  a  great  crowd, 
10th  within  and  without.    I  took  my  Stand,  gave 

j|  |>ut  my  hymn,  sang,  and  prayed;  and,  according 


64  A  woman  struck  to  the  floor. 


to  my  promise,  gave  out  my  text:  "Again,  the 
devil  taketh  him  up  into  an  exceeding  high 
mountain,  and  sheweth  him  all  the  kingdoms  of 
the  world,  and  the  glory  of  them;  and  saith  unto 
him,  All  these  things  will  I  give  thee,  if  thou 
wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me."  Matt.  iv.  8,  9. 
Such  a  light  broke  in  on  my  soul,  on  giving  out 
the  text,  that  I  was  enabled  to  preach  with  great 
liberty:  many  were  cut  to  the  heart,  and  wept  all 
through  the  house. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment  at  N.  C.'s; 
soon  after  1  began,  a  house  caught  fire  about 
thirty  yards  distant  and  was  burnt,  which  broke 
up  our  meeting. 

I  went  to  Mr.  Smith's  on  Tuckehoe  River, 
and  preached;  and  the  Lord  attended  the  word 
with  power.  One  fell  to  the  floor:  I  then  asked 
the  people  what  they  thought  of  it,  and  if  they 
did  not  think  it  was  of  the  devil.  "If  it  is," 
said  I,  "when  she  comes  to,  she  will  curse  and 
swear;  but  if  it  is  of  God,  she  will  praise  him; 
therefore,  stand  still  and  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord."  The  people  stood  amazed,  while  she  lay 
struggling  on  the  floor  for  life.  When  she  came 
to,  she  praised  the  Lord  with  a  loud  voice,  and 
every  power  of  her  soul,  declaring  that  God  had 
sanctified  her  soul. 

I  then  met  the  society,  and  I  impressed  sancti-  i 
fication  on  them.  God  struck  a  woman  to  the  t 
floor,  who  had  been  fifteen  years  a  professor  of  p 
justification,  and  after  some  time  she  rose  and  t 
declared  that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul.  I  ex-  t; 
horted  all  round  her  to  claim  the  promise,  an<  Sf 
while  she  was  speaking,  God  struck  six  or  seveiU- 
to  the  floor.  I  then  opened  the  doors  and  winl  J 
dows,  and  desired  the  wicked  to  come  and  see  thlfti 


Seven  find  peace  with  God. 


65 


mighty  power  of  God  for  themselves ;  and  added, 
"If  you  will  not  believe  this,  you  would  not  be. 
lieve  if  God  Almighty  were  to  speak  to  you,  as 
he  did  to  Moses,  in  a  flame  of  fire;"  and  before 
the  meeting  was  over,  six  or  seven  professed  sanc- 
tification  of  soul;  among  whom  was  the  wife  of 
J.  Brick,  Esq.  who  had  been  justified  only  eight 
days  before. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  'Squire  Champion's, 
and  preached  with  great  liberty.  The  meeting 
began  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
lasted  until  about  midnight;  before  it  was  over, 
seven  found  peace  with  God  and  joined  society. 
Here  I  was  as  happy  in  my  own  soul  as  I  could 
wish  either  to  live  or  die. 

Next  day  I  preached  at  brother  Hew's,  to  a 
precious  loving  people;  and  as  soon  as  I  had 
kneeled  down,  before  I  had  uttered  one  sentence, 
they  all  cried  out,  "Amen."  After  preaching,  in 
class,  I  endeavoured  to  teach  them  the  meaning 
and  nature  of  the  term — Amen. 

At  my  next  appointment,  I  preached  with  great 
liberty  from  these  words,  "  If  we  say  that  we  have 
no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not 
in  us.  If  we  confess  our  sins,  He  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness."  1  John  i.  8,  9.  Many  wept 
much.  A  Baptist  being  present,  who  had  been  a 
great  enemy  to  religion,  when  I  had  done,  I  asked 
him  what  he  thought  of  what  he  had  heard,  and 
whether  it  was  not  the  truth  as  it  was  in  Jesus. 
He  replied  it  was,  and  exhorted  the  people  to  be- 
lieve it. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment  at  Wire 
,[k  Town;  but  a  woman  being  dead  close  at  hand, 
[  was  requested  to  preach  her  funeral  sermon. 


66 


Remarkable  experience. 


While  I  was  speaking,  I  observed  to  my  hearers, 
that  the  darkest  time  in  the  night  was  just  before 
the  dawn  of  the  day;  and  that  this  was  the  case 
with  a  soul  groaning  for  redemption  in  Christ; 
for  just  as  they  saw  themselves  on  the  brink  of 
eternal  damnation,  destitute  of  every  power  to 
extricate  themselves,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 
the  Lord  of  Life  and  Glory,  broke  in  on  their 
souls,  and  set  them  at  perfect  liberty. 

Up  rose  a  Baptist  woman  and  said,  that  she 
had  come  twenty  miles  through  the  snow  to  hear 
me;  and  then  related  her  experience  to  the  fol- 
lowing purport: — "I  was  standing  on  the  hearth 
with  my  husband  and  two  children,  and  thought 
the  hearth  opened  before  me,  and  I  saw  hell,  from 
beneath,  opened,  and  devils  ready  to  receive  me. 
I  then  started  and  ran  into  the  room  and  threw 
myself  on  the  floor,  and  cried  mightily  to  God  to 
have  mercy  on  my  soul.  Meanwhile  my  husband 
went  after  the  cattle,  and  I  continued  in  prayer 
until  the  house  was  filled  with  the  glory  of  God, 
brighter  than  the  sun  at  noonday.  I  then  arose 
and  sat  on  the  foot  of  the  bed,  wishing  for  my 
husband  to  return.  After  a  while  he  came;  I 
ran  out  to  meet  him,  and  clasped  him  round  the 
neck,  and  told  him  what  God  had  done  for  my 
soul.  The  power  of  the  Lord  came  upon  me 
again  as  it  had  done  in  the  house,  and  I  cried  out 
in  such  a  manner,  that  it  frightened  my  husband 
and  the  cattle,  so  that  the  cattle  ran  off  again, 
and  my  husband  went  away  also.  I  went  to  the 
house  happy  in  God.  And  our  people  (meaning 
the  Baptists)  say  it  is  only  a  delusion  of  the 
devil,  for  God  did  not  come  to  people  in  such  a 
manner  now-a-days."  Then  asked  me  what  I 
thought  of  it.    "For  I  feel,"  said  she,  "that  same 


A  Frenchman  falls  to  the  flow.  67 


power  on  me  now."  I  told  her  it  was  the  work 
of  God,  a  change  of  heart;  and  that  if  ever  the 
Lord  had  converted  my  soul,  he  had  converted 
hers.  She  immediately  laid  hold  of  faith,  and 
was  instantly  delivered  from  that  anxiety  and 
despair  that  had  attended  her  mind.  She  rode 
next  day,  with  one  of  our  friends,  to  a  place  cal- 
led Goodluck,  where  I  preached  from  these  words, 
"Awake  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the 
dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light"  (Eph.  v. 
14),  with  great  liberty,  and  the  power  of  God 
attended  the  word. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  drink  of  water — Two  witnesses  raised  up— The  mighty 
power  of  God — Happy  deaths — Shout. 

Next  day  I  rode  with  one  of  our  friends 
about  twelve  miles  through  a  north-east  stonn  of 
hail,  to  'Squire  Akins's,  on  Tom's  river.  When 
we  arrived  there,  we  were  both  wet  and  cold. 
After  drying  myself  a  little,  I  gave  an  exhorta- 
tion to  the  few  present,  and  tarried  all  night. 

In  the  morning  I  went  to  my  appointment, 
had  an  attentive  congregation,  and  the  Lord  at- 
tended the  word  with  power.  A  Frenchman  fell 
to  the  floor,  and  never  arose  until  the  Lord  con- 
verted his  soul.    Here  we  had  a  happy  time. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment  at  the 
house  of  a  Baptist.  Here  a  dispute  arose  with 
the  man,  concerning  a  piece  published  by  one  of 
our  preachers  on  Baptism,  which  gave  him  great 
umbrage,  and  he  objected  to  my  preaching  in  his 
house.  I  remained  perfectly  composed  and  easy, 
whether  I  preached  or  not.  Brother  Stirling, 
E  2 


08 


The  drink  of  Water. 


who  had  met  me  here,  reasoned  the  case  with 
him,  until  he  gave  his  consent.  I  then  went  to 
my  stand,  gave  out  my  hymn,  sang  and  prayed, 
took  my  text,  and  began  to  preach,  and  the  Lord's 
mighty  power  attended  the  word.  The  people 
wept  all  through  the  house,  and  the  man  of  the 
house  trembled  like  Belshazzar.  After  I  had 
done,  I  asked  if  there  was  any  person  there  that 
would  open  his  house  for  preaching.  A  man 
present  answered  that  we  might  preach  at  his 
house,  which  was  just  across  the  way:  accordingly 
I  appointed  meeting  that  day  fortnight.  The 
man  of  the  house  that  objected  to  my  preaching 
in  his  house,  afterwards  desired  that  I  would 
preach  in  it  again  in  the  evening:  I  told  him  that 
as  the  people  were  chiefly  gone,  it  would  answer 
but  little  purpose  to  make  another  appointment; 
but  he  said  he  would  send  and  give  information 
to  his  neighbours;  he  did  so,  and  I  preached  to 
them,  and  hope  that  all  the  seed  will  not  fall  to 
the  ground. 

Next  morning,  I  went  to  my  appointment  at 
Mr.  W.'s.  I  retired  in  secret,  and  the  power  of 
the  Lord  came  upon  me  in  such  a  manner,  that 
I  lost  the  use  of  my  body,  and  cried  out  in  such 
a  manner  that  1  alarmed  the  people,  who  had 
never  seen  the  like  before.  When  I  recovered  a 
little,  I  went  and  preached  to  them,  and  we  had 
a  precious  time.  Here  I  met  with  an  old  Israelite, 
we  spent  some  precious  time  together.  The  night 
before  I  came  he  was  in  soul-distress,  and  expe- 
rienced a  deliverance.  He  and  four  of  his  family 
were  happy  in  God. 

I  set  out  for  quarterly-meeting,  and  on  my  way 
I  stopped  to  get  my  horse  shod,  and  went  to  a 
house  where  I  found  an  old  woman  spinning, 


He  receives  two  Dollars.  C9 

and  nsked  her  for  a  drink  of  water,  she  gave  it 
me;  I  said  to  her,  you  have  given  me  drink  to 
refresh  my  body,  I  will  strive  to  give  you  the 
waters  of  life,  by  persuading  you  to  make  applica- 
tion to  Jesus.  After  telling  her  the  terrors  of  the 
law,  and  the  promises  of  the  gospel,  I  asked  leave 
to  pray,  which  she  granted.  Three  years  after, 
as  I  was  on  my  way  to  a  quarterly-meeting,  I  met 
with  about  twenty  persons  who  were  on  their  way 
to  the  same  meeting.  As  soon  as  they  saw  me,  a 
woman  from  amongst  them  ran  to  me  and  said, 
"How  do  you  do  my  father?"  I  asked  her  how 
she  came  to  know  me,  she  answered,  "I  will  soon 
convince  you  I  have  cause  to  know  you:  do  you 
not  remember  asking  me  for  a  drink  of  water, 
and  that  you  set  before  me  the  plan  of  salvation, 
and  went  to  prayer  with  me?  You  had  not  been 
gone  half  an  hour,  before  I  expected  to  be  in  hell 
every  moment;  I  cried  to  God  mightily,  without 
any  intermission,  until  he  set  my  soul  at  liberty  ; 
therefore  I  call  you  my  spiritual  father." 

At  quarterly-meeting  we  opened  our  love-feast 
with  prayer,  and  the  Lord  made  bare  his  arm; 
some  fell  to  the  floor,  others  ran  away.  Such  a 
time  they  never  had  before.  I.  W.  exhorted  the 
mourners  very  powerfully,  being  himself  con- 
verted the  night  before.  The  old  lady,  his  mother, 
was  very  happy.  When  I  was  about  to  go,  she 
put  two  dollars  into  my  hand.  This  was  the  fiist 
that  ever  I  had  received  as  a  preacher;  but  he 
that  was  mindful  of  the  young  ravens  was  mind- 
ful of  me.  I  had  always  travelled  at  my  own 
charge  before.  When  I  received  this,  I  had  but 
fifteen-pence  in  my  pocket,  and  was  above  two 
hundred  miles  from  home. 

I  went  to  an  appointment  in  a  Baptist  Settle- 


70  Two  witnesses  raised  up. 


merit,  and  preached  with  great  liberty;  two  fell 
and  never  ceased  crying  to  God  for  mercy,  until 
he  set  their  souls  at  liberty;  many  were  much 
afflicted,  and  some  deeply  awakened.  There  was 
an  old  Baptist,  Mr.  Bray,  that  asked  me  home 
with  him,  and  as  I  went  he  desired  to  stop  at 
a  house  to  go  to  prayer;  here  we  found  several 
persons  deeply  awakened  who  had  been  at  meet- 
ing. After  prayer  I  gave  them  an  exhortation, 
and  then  went  on  with  my  friend,  where,  to  my 
great  surprise,  I  found  about  forty  persons  as- 
sembled.  The  old  man  being  fond  of  poetry,  be- 
gan with  hymns  and  psalms,  &c.  I  sat  silent 
while  he  went  on  for  some  time.  When  he  had 
done,  I  began  to  relate  the  wonderful  work  of 
God  that  I  had  seen  through  the  land:  souls  con- 
verted, souls  sanctified,  drunkards  become  sober 
men,  &c.  One  of  the  young  men  present  said, 
"  It  beats  all  the  preaching  I  ever  heard  of  since 
I  was  born,  and  if  there  is  such  a  God  as  you 
speak  of,  I  am  determined  to  find  him  before 
morning."  I  then  exhorted  him  with  all  my 
power,  applying  the  promises,  and  told  him  if  he 
sought  he  should  surely  find;  he  went  home  and 
retired  to  his  barn,  and  there  continued  all  night 
in  prayer;  sometimes  on  his  knees  and  sometimes 
on  his  face.  Next  morning  about  an  hour  by 
sun,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  broke  in  and  spake 
peace  to  his  soul.  "Now,"  said  he,  "are  these 
the  people  we  used  to  call  deceivers,  and  false 
teachers?  O  that  God  would  convert  another 
soul,  that  there  might  be  two  witnesses  for  Jesus 
to-day,  that  out  of  the  mouths  of  two  witnesses 
every  word  might  be  established." 

As  he  was  on  hi*  way  to  meeting,  he  met  with 
nine  or  ten  others.    Just  as  they  turned  the  cor- 


A  false  alarm  of  Fire. 


71 


ner  of  the  house  to  go  in,  a  young  man  fell  to  the 
ground,  and  never  ceased  crying  to  God,  until  he 
spake  peace  to  his  soul.  They  then  came  into 
the  house,  and  the  first  one  began  to  exhort  the 
people,  bathed  in  tears,  telling  them  that  they 
had  called  these  people  Antichristians,  but  that 
he  knew  they  were  servants  of  the  living  God; 
exhorting  them  to  believe.  After  him  arose  the 
other  who  had  just  found  peace  at  the  door,  and 
began  to  tell  what  God  had  done  for  his  soul,  ex. 
horting  them  likewise  to  believe,  while  tears 
flowed  from  many  eyes.  I  then  arose,  gave  out  a 
hymn,  sang,  and  prayed;  but  having  taken  such 
cold  the  overnight,  that  instead  of  preaching  I 
could  only  whisper  to  them. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  my  appointment,  but 
my  cold  had  so  increased  that  I  was  unable  to 
preach,  and  only  whispered  them  an  exhortation. 
Next  day  I  went  to  brother  Fidler's,  and  preached 
in  the  evening;  we  had  a  precious  time  with  the 
little  society.  A  few  days  after  I  rode  to  Trenton. 
I  began  to  preach  at  candle  light,  to  a  large 
congregation,  which  caused  the  devil  to  roar. 
While  I  was  on  my  second  head,  his  children  in 
the  street  cried,  "Fire!  Fire!"  This  alarmed 
the  people,  and  they  ran  off  instantly  through 
the  town,  in  search  of  the  tire  but  found  none. 
When  the  tumult  was  over,  I  was  requested  to 
return  and  preach  again,  but  I  sent  the  people 
word  that  I  should  preach  no  more  that  night. 

Next  morning  I  set  out  for  quarterly-meeting 
at  New-Mills.  After  our  meeting  had  been 
opened  and  several  exhortations  given,  brother 
C.  Cotts  went  to  prayer,  several  fell  to  the  floor, 
many  were  affected,  and  we  had  a  powerful 
time  of  it. 


72 


Twenty  fall  to  the  floor. 


After  meeting,  brother  J.  S.  and  several  others 
went  with  me  to  I.  B.'s,  where  we  tarried  all 
night.  Here  we  found  a  woman  in  distress  of 
soul;  after  prayer  we  retired  to  bed.  In  the 
morning  Brother  S.  went  to  prayer,  and  after  him 
myself;  the  distressed  woman  lay  as  in  the  ago- 
nies of  death  near  an  hour.  When  she  arose  she 
went  into  her  room  to  prayer,  and  soon  after  re- 
turned and  professed  faith  in  Christ.  She  and 
her  husband  went  with  us  to  brother  H.'s,  where 
about  forty  persons  had  assembled  to  wait  for  us, 
in  order  to  have  prayer  before  we  parted. 

As  soon  as  I  entered  the  house,  a  woman  en- 
treated me  to  pray  for  her,  and  added,  ''I  am 
going  to  hell,  I  have  no  God."  I  exhorted  her 
and  all  present,  setting  before  them  the  curses  of 
God's  law  against  sin,  and  likewise  I  applied  the 
promises  of  the  gospel  to  the  penitent;  then  a 
young  woman  came  to  me  and  said,  "Father 
Abbott  pray  to  God  to  give  me  a  clean  heart." 
I  replied,  "  God  shall  give  you  one  this  moment." 
How  I  came  to  use  the  word  shall,  I  know  not; 
but  she  dropped  at  that  instant  into  my  arms  as 
one  dead.  I  then  claimed  the  promises  and  cried 
to  God,  exhorting  them  all  to  look  to  God  for 
clean  hearts,  and  he  would  do  great  things  for 
them;  at  which,  about  twenty  more  fell  to  the 
floor.  When  the  young  woman  came  too,  she 
declared  that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul.  I  saw 
her  many  years  after,  and  her  life  and  conversa- 
tion adorned  the  gospel.  Prayer  was  kept  up, 
without  intermission,  for  the  space  of  three  hours. 
Eight  souls  professed  sanctification,  and  three 
Indian  women  justification,  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Of  a  truth  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but 
in  every  nation  he  that  feareth  God  and  worketh 


A  young  Woman  struck  to  the  floor.  73 

righteousness,  shall  be  accepted  of  him.  Of  this 
we  had  a  manifest  instance,  while  we  beheld  the 
mighty  power  of  God,  and  the  slain  lying  through 
the  house  like  dead  men. 

My  next  appointment  was  that  evening  at  early 
candle  light,  about  forty  miles  distant,  and  it  was 
eleven  o'clock  before  we  were  ready  to  start. 
We  stopped  at  Morestown  and  refreshed  our- 
selves, then  pushed  on  to  J.  C.'s,  on  Mantua- 
Creek;  being  rather  late  they  had  begun  to  sing 
before  we  arrived.  I  preached  unto  the  people, 
and  we  had  a  melting  time. 

After  meeting,  in  family  worship,  two  or  three 
went  to  prayer,  the  mighty  power  of  God  struck 
a  young  woman  to  the  floor,  her  screams  and 
screeches  were  such  that  my  pen  is  not  able  to 
describe.  She  rolled  from  place  to  place  on  the 
floor  like  one  of  the  damned  in  torment.  Her 
mother  ran  to  take  her  away:  when  I  saw  it  I 
desired  her  father  not  to  suffer  her  to  be  removed; 
her  mother  then  retired  to  her  room  and  left  us. 
Prayer  was  kept  up  all  night  without  intermis- 
sion. She  continued  her  cries  until  sun  about 
one  hour  high,  by  which  time  the  house  was 
rilled  with  neighbours,  and  the  Lord  spake  peace 
to  her  soul. 

A  young  man  came  in;  brother  F.  S.  took  him 
by  the  hand  anti  said,  "Brother  C.  had  a  daugh- 
ter converted  this  morning,  and  she  wants  to 
speak  with  you."  He  led  him  to  her,  she  took 
him  by  the  hand  and  began  to  exhort  him  with 
tears:  he  began  to  tremble  and  scream  in  an 
awful  manner,  and  in  about  two  or  three  days 
found  peace.  There  came  in  also  an  elderly 
man,  and  brother  F.  S.  took  him  to  her  in  like 
manner,  and  she  began  to  warn  and  exhort  him, 


74 


An  Officer  of  the  Army  awakened. 


while  he  trembled,  and  the  tears  flowed  in  abun- 
dance. She  then  said  God  had  called  her  to  go 
from  house  to  house  and  warn  her  neighbours  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Several  of  our 
friends  tarried  and  went  with  her  for  three  days; 
but  we  returned  home,  from  which  I  had  been 
absent  about  six  weeks. 

Soon  after,  I  removed  to  Lower-Penn's-Neck 
with  my  family,  where  I  found  a  set  of  as  har- 
dened sinners  as  were  out  of  hell.  I  preached 
again  and  again,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Brother 
Pedicord  and  Brother  Metcalf  came  to  my  house, 
and  I  told  them  I  was  almost  discouraged.  When 
they  heard  it,  they  were  so  distressed  that  they 
could  not  eat  breakfast,  but  retired  to  their  room, 
where  they  remained  until  about  one  or  two 
o'clock.  When  they  came  down  stairs,  Brother 
P.  said,  "  Father  Abbott  do  not  be  discouraged, 
these  people  will  yet  hunger  and  thirst  after  the 
word  of  God,"  and  appeared  cheerful.  In  the 
evening  he  preached  to  the  neighbours,  and  the 
next  day  they  went  on  their  circuits. 

I  went  to  B.  Wetherby's,  at  Quenton's-Bridge, 
near  Salem,  where  I  frequently  preached.  Here 
we  soon  raised  a  class,  among  whom  were  brother 
H.  Ffirth,  John  M'Claskey,  and  others,  who  be- 
came useful  and  worthy  members  of  the  church. 

One  day  as  I  was  preaching,  'I.  Holliday  of 
Lower-Penn's-Neck  stopped  to  hear,  and  the 
word  reached  his  heart.  After  sermon  he  asked 
me  if  I  would  come  and  preach  at  his  house.  I 
asked  him  if  I  should  give  it  out  for  the  circuit 
preacher;  he  said  "Yes."  I  did  so,  and  after 
bidding  the  family  farewell,  an  officer  of  the  army 
being  present,  I  took  him  by  the  hand  and  said, 
"God  out  of  Christ  is  a  consuming  fire,  farewell !" 


Many  doors  opened. 


To 


and  so  we  parted.  God  pursued  him  from  the 
very  door,  and  gave  him  no  rest.  Before  twelve 
o'clock  that  night,  he  was  out  of  bed  on  the  floor 
at  prayer.  In  about  two  months  his  soul  was  set 
at  liberty,  and  he  is  a  member  of  our  church  to 
the  present  period. 

The  day  appointed  at  Mr.  Holliday's,  the  tra- 
velling preacher  came,  and  a  great  concourse 
attended,  to  whom  he  preached.  Some  seemed 
awakened,  some  disputed,  and  some  were  in  great 
consternation.  When  he  concluded,  he  asked  if 
he  should  give  out  preaching  there  again;  Mr.  H. 
replied  he  might.  At  the  time  appointed,  abun- 
dance of  people  attended,  to  whom  brother  Ivy 
preached  with  much  power,  being  full  of  faith  and 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Many  of  the  people  wept,  and 
it  was  a  good  season.  By  this  time  there  were 
many  doors  open.  One  cried  "Preach  at  my 
house,"  another  "Preach  at  my  house,"  &c. 

The  next  appointment  was  made  at  J.  D.'s  for 
Brother  Dudley.  He  came  and  preached  with 
power.  After  meeting,  I  told  them  that  that  day 
week  I  should  declare  to  them,  "Even  the  mys- 
tery which  hath  been  hid  from  ages  and  genera- 
tions, but  now  is  made  manifest  to  his  saints: 
to  whom  God  would  make  known  what  is  the 
riches  of  the  glory  of  this  mystery  among  the 
Gentiles ;  which  is  Christ  in  you,  the  hope  of 
glory:  whom  we  preach,  warning  every  man, 
and  teaching  every  man  in  all  wisdom,  that  we 
may  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus: 
whereunto  I  also  labour,  striving  according  to 
his  working,  which  worketh  in  me  mightily." 
Col.  i.  26—29.  The  people  concluded  that  I  was 
going  to  prophesy,  and  would  tell  how  the  war 
would  terminate.     Thia  brought  abundance  to- 


76        A  Quaker  family  under  conviction. 


gether.  I  preached,  and  God  attended  the  word 
with  power.  I  had  not  spoken  long,  before  a 
professing  Quaker  said  it  was  a  mystery  to  him. 
But  before  I  concluded,  himself,  his  wife,  son, 
and  daughter,  were  all  struck  under  conviction, 
and  never  rested  till  they  all  found  rest  to  their 
souls,  and  joined  society.  About  six  months  after, 
the  son  died  in  a  triumph  of  faith.  The  father 
was  taken  ill  at  the  funeral,  and  never  went  out 
of  his  house  again  until  carried  to  his  grave. 
He  departed  this  life  praising  God  in  a  transport 
of  joy. 

By  this  time,  there  was  a  general  alarm  spread 
through  the  neighbourhood.  \Vre  had  prayer- 
meetings  two  or  three  times  a  week,  and  at  al- 
most every  meeting  some  were  either  convinced 
or  converted.  One  old  woman,  to  whose  soul 
the  Lord  had  spoken  peace,  clapped  her  hands, 
and  began  to  praise  the  creature  instead  of  the 
Creator;  I  stepped  up  to  her,  and  said,  "I  have 
done  nothing  for  you;  if  there  be  any  good,  it  is 
the  Lord  that  has  done  it,  and  therefore  praise 
God."  "O,"  said  she,  "but  you  are  a  dear  good 
creature  for  all."  I  turned  away,  and  went 
among  the  people.  At  this  meeting  we  had  the 
shout  and  power  of  Israel's  God  in  the  camp. 
Prayer  was  kept  up  until  near  midnight. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Happy  death — Harvest— Prayer  the  Seventh  Time — Work 
increases — Woe  to  Backsliders. 

Next  morning  a  man  came  to  my  house  to 
know  what  he  must  do  to  be  saved.  I  applied 
the  promises  of  the  gospel,  and  then  went  to 


The  Lord  speaks  peace  to  a  Man.  77 


prayer;  and  after  me  my  wife,  and  then  my 
daughter  Martha  prayed.  And  while  supplicating 
the  throne  of  grace  on  his  behalf,  the  Lord  in  his 
infinite  goodness,  spake  peace  to  his  soul,  and 
we  were  all  made  partakers  of  the  blessing.  He 
joined  society,  lived  several  years,  and  died  clap- 
ping his  hands  and  shouting,  "Glory  to  God!  I 
am  going  home  I"  That  moment  his  hands 
ceased  clapping  he  died,  and  never  was  perceived 
to  breath  again. 

We  had  now  about  twenty-two  or  three  in 
society;  but  persecution  soon  arose,  and  the  devil 
stirred  up  one  J.  N.  a  professor  of  religion  among 
the  Presbyterians,  who  at  first  appeared  very 
friendly,  and  was  active  in  bringing  us  into  the 
neighbourhood;  but  soon  after  he  became  an  in- 
strument in  the  hands  of  the  devil  to  oppose  and 
lay  waste  the  truth,  and  did  much  hurt  to  the 
cause  of  God,  and  all  under  the  cloak  of  religion. 
He  went  among  our  young  converts  and  told 
them  that  God  had  revealed  it  to  him,  that  the 
spirit  which  they  professed  to  receive  at  their 
conversions  was  of  the  devil,  and  not  the  Spirit 
of  Christ.  But  glory  to  God,  it  was  not  in  the 
power  of  men  or  devils  to  extinguish  the  divine 
flame;  although  they  cast  a  cloud  on  many  minds, 
and  turned  some  out  of  the  way. 

The  height  of  my  harvest  being  on  our  meet- 
ing-day, when  meeting  time  came  I  told  my 
reapers  that  they  must  all  go  to  meeting,  and 
that  I  would  pay  them  their  wages  as  though 
they  were  at  work.  We  all  went,  and  God 
wrought  powerfully;  several  fell  to  the  floor,  and 
two  found  peace.  It  was  a  great  day  to  many. 
After  meeting  we  returned  to  our  work  again. 

I  continued  for  about  two  months  to  preach 


78       A  Quaker  woman  falls  on  her  knees. 


under  the  trees,  as  the  house  would  not  contain 
the  people.  We  seldom  had  a  meeting  during 
that  period,  but  what  some  were  either  con- 
vinced, converted,  or  sanctified. 

I  now  thought  it  might  be  expedient  to  make 
an  attempt  towards  building  a  meeting-house. 
A  subscription  was  drawn  for  that  purpose;  but 
not  being  able  to  obtain  a  suitable  piece  of  ground 
to  build  on,  as  those  who  had  such  refused  to  sell, 
it  fell  through  for  nearly  four  years,  and  we  con- 
tinued our  meetings  as  before. 

One  day  while  I  was  speaking,  the  power  of 
the  Lord  laid  hold  on  a  Quaker  woman,  and  as 
she  was  about  to  escape,  she  fell  on  her  hands 
and  knees.  Some  of  her  friends  helped  her  up, 
got  her  into  a  waggon,  and  carried  her  off.  I 
was  afterwards  informed  that  it  took  them  two 
weeks  to  kill  her  convictions.  The  work  of  the 
Lord  went  on  among  the  people,  and  I  continued 
to  impress  the  necessity  of  sanctification  upon 
believers. 

We  had  at  that  time  twelve  children  who  were 
converted  to  God.  One  of  our  sisters  got  deeply 
convinced  that  she  must  be  holy  in  heart;  and 
one  night  the  Spirit  of  God  came  upon  her,  so 
that  she  arose  out  of  her  bed,  went  on  her  knees, 
and  prayed  to  God  to  give  her  a  clean  heart,  and 
to  sanctify  her  nature.  Her  mother  ran  and 
caught  her  about  the  neck  and  told  her  to  go  to 
bed,  for  there  was  no  occasion  for  so  much  ado 
about  religion.  She  went  to  bed,  but  without 
the  blessing;  though  her  distress  was  so  great 
that  she  could  not  rest.  Soon  she  was  upon  the 
floor  again,  crying  earnestly  to  God ;  her  mother 
hauled  her  on  the  bed  again  :  she  then  rose  again, 
and  entreated  her  mother  to  let  her  alone,  and 


Prayer  the  seventh  time.  79 


she  then  forhore.  While  she  continued  wrestling 
with  God  for  the  blessing,  the  power  of  the  Lord 
came  upon  her,  so  that  she  lost  the  use  of  her 
bodily  powers  for  some  time.  When  she  came  to 
again,  she  knew  that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul. 
It  is  about  fifteen  years  since  she  received  this 
inestimable  blessing,  and  from  that  time  to  this, 
her  life  and  conduct  has  adorned  the  gospel. 
Next  evening,  at  class  meeting,  she  came  and 
rehearsed  the  matter,  and  told  us  that  God  had 
sanctified  her  soul.  This  gave  a  fresh  spring  to 
many.  A  few  days  after,  one  of  our  sisters  was 
engaged  with  God  for  a  clean  heart;  she  went 
five  times  on  her  knees  to  prayer,  and  then  con- 
cluded that  she  was  going  to  die.  "O,"  said  she, 
"that  Daddy  Abbott  was  here  to  see  me  die!" 
Then  she  went  to  prayer  again,  but  still  grew 
worse.  She  went  to  the  door  to  call  some  near 
neighbours,  but  could  not  utter  one  word.  She 
then  shut  the  door  and  went  to  prayer  the 
seventh  time,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  came 
wonderfully  upon  her,  and  she  fell  to  the  floor  as 
one  dead.  When  she  came  to,  she  knew  that 
God  had  sanctified  her  soul.  She  then  arose,  and 
at  that  instant  I  came  in  at  the  door,  and  she 
cried  out,  "Daddy  Abbott,  God  has  given  me  a 
clean  heart."  At  that  moment  God  sealed  it  so  to 
my  heart,  that  I  cried  out  and  could  not  forbear. 
We  rejoiced  together  in  a  glorious  hope  of  im- 
mortality. This  alarmed  several,  and  set  them 
all  on  fire  for  sanctification. 

The  next  meeting  day,  in  time  of  preaching, 
we  had  a  powerful  time,  and  a  number  fell  to  the 
floor :  one  man  attempted  to  run  off,  but  God 
laid  him  down  at  the  door.  A  woman  made  the 
same  attempt,  but  the  Spirit  of  the  eternal  God 


no 


A  woman  in  distress. 


arrested  her,  and  she  fell  hack  into  the  house  just 
as  she  was  going  out  at  the  door.  After  preach- 
ing, we  had  a  blessed  time  in  class;  while  claim, 
ing  the  promises,  several  were  soon  down,  both 
on  the  right  and  left.  Some  found  peace,  and 
others  professed  sanctification. 

One  very  wicked  woman  was  arrested  by  the 
mighty  power  of  God,  and  scrambled  out  at  the 
door  and  laid  hold  of  a  cheese  press  to  prevent 
herself  from  falling.  After  a  while  she  set  off 
for  home,  and  when  about  half-way  she  began  to 
conclude  that  it  was  only  a  fright,  occasioned  by 
seeing  others  so  agitated.  As  she  was  passing 
through  a  skirt  of  wood,  she  was  again  arrested 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  convinced  her  of 
omnipotent  power ;  and,  trembling,  she  went 
home  and  threw  herself  on  the  bed,  and  there 
lost  the  usual  power  of  her  body  and  limbs,  and 
shook  to  that  degree,  that  the  bed  on  which  she 
lay  trembled  under  her.  The  alarm  ran  through 
the  neighbourhood  with  as  great  surprise  as  if 
one  had  been  murdered. 

In  the  evening  I  went  to  see  her,  where  I 
found  about  forty  neighbours  assembled  to  see 
what  was  the  matter.  She  then  lay  shaking  as 
heretofore  in  a  very  strange  manner.  I  then  ex- 
horted the  people,  and  told  them  that  this  was 
the  wonderful  work  of  God,  and  that  if  they 
would  not  believe  it,  they  would  not  believe  if 
God  Almighty  was  to  stand  by  them,  as  he  stood 
by  Moses,  in  a  flame  of  fire.  The  people  looked 
as  if  they  were  under  sentence  of  death,  while 
an  awful  terror  was  stamped  on  every  face.  She 
then  broke  out  in  exhortation,  exhorting  them 
all  not  to  live  as  she  had  done.  "  You  see,"  she 
said,  "what  sin  has  brought  me  to."    She  spake 


A  Backtlider. 


8] 


near  one  hour,  and  many  wept  under  her  ex- 
hortation. Whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  I 
threw  in  a  word  for  Jesus.  She  continued  in  this 
strange  posture  two  days  and  nights,  and  then 
the  Lord  gave  her  strength  to  get  out  of  hed. 
But  as  yet  she  had  not  found  peace.  In  the 
evening  of  the  third  day,  she  came  to  my  house 
to  family  duty,  and  the  Lord  set  her  soul  at 
liberty.  She  returned  home,  rejoicing  in  God 
her  Saviour,  joined  society,  and  continued  a 
faithful  member  about  six  months.  Her  case 
afterwards  was  singular.  A  dispute  between  her 
husband  and  one  of  our  members  being  left  to 
arbitrators,  was  decided  against  him.  This  gave 
her  such  umbrage,  that  she  came  no  more  to 
meeting.  Soon  she  returned  to  her  old  practices 
again,  and  became  a  two-fold  worse  child  of  hell, 
than  at  the  beginning;  cursing,  swearing,  and 
blaspheming,  in  a  most  horrid  manner. 

In  about  eighteen  months  after,  God  sent  the 
grim  monster  death  to  arrest  her.  In  her  sick, 
ness  she  sent  for  me.  I  went  and  exhorted  her 
to  try  to  turn  to  God,  but  she  said  she  could  not 
see  how  God  could  have  mercy  on  her,  as  she 
had  sinned  so  grievously  against  such  light  and 
knowledge.  There  being  several  backsliders 
present,  she  exhorted  them  to  turn  to  God  before 
it  was  eternally  too  late.  I  endeavoured  to  applv 
all  the  promises  for  backsliders  from  Genesis  to 
Revelations,  but  without  faith.  I  then  called 
the  people  together  and  went  to  payer;  but  it 
seemed  as  if  my  moutli  was  stopped,  and  my 
prayers  were  without  access.  I  arose  from  prayer 
and  exhorted  her  to  try  to  pray.  I?ut  she  replied, 
"I  have  no  heart  or  power  to  pray."  "But," 
said  I,  "keep  begging  of  God  to  give  you  a  heart 
r 


Awful  Death. 


to  pray;  for  the  spirit  of  prayer  is  the  gift  of 
God,  and  you  have  your  senses,  and  who  knows 
what  God  may  do  for  you."  So  I  bid  her  fare- 
well, and  went  home.  They  sent  for  me  again ; 
but  I  told  the  messenger  that  my  temporal  affairs 
were  in  such  a  situation  that  I  could  not  then  go. 
In  the  afternoon,  her  son  came  for  me  again.  I 
told  him  I  could  not  well  go.  "Oh!  do  go," 
said  he,  and  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  "for  she 
frightens  us  so,  that  we  are  afraid  to  stay  in  the 
house."  I  told  him  to  go  by  the  house  and  ask 
my  daughter  Rebecca  (intending  to  go  myself  in 
the  evening) ;  he  did  so,  and  she  went.  She 
found  a  number  of  the  neighbours  gathered,  ex- 
pecting the  woman  was  dying.  When  she  went 
in,  the  sick  woman  was  pointing  with  her  hand, 
saying  to  the  by-standers,  "Do  you  not  see  the 
devils  there  ready  to  seize  my  soul  and  drag  it  to 
hell  ?"  Some  of  them  said,  "  There  are  no  devils 
here, — she  is  out  of  her  senses."  "But,"  she 
replied,  "I  have  my  senses  as  well  as  ever  I  had 
in  my  life."  She  then  cried  out,  "I  am  in  hell  ! 
I  am  in  hell!  I  am  in  hell!"  But  said  they, 
"  You  are  not  in  hell,  you  are  out  of  your  senses." 
She  replied,  "I  am  not  out  of  my  senses;  but  1 
feel  as  much  of  the  torturing  torments  of  the 
damned  as  a  mortal  can  feel  in  the  body!"  Her 
flesh  rotted  on  her  bones,  and  fell  from  one  of 
her  sides  so  that  her  entrails  might  be  seen.  In 
this  awful,  terrible  situation,  she  left  this  stage 
of  action.  Alas  !  alas  !  Woe  to  backslider.-.  ! 
surely  if  there  be  one  place  of  greater  punishment 
than  another  among  the  torments  of  the  damned, 
that  will  be  their  portion.  That  God  may  alarm 
their  guilty  fears  before  iniquity  prove  their  eter- 
nal 111  in,  and  their  souls  are  centered  among  devils 
and  damned  ghosts,  is  the  desire  of  my  soul. 


83 


CHAPTER  X. 

Builds  a  Meeting-IIouse — Visits  Pensylvania — Swearing 
Constable — Great  Work  among  the  Germans. 

I  had  often  urged  on  the  people  the  necessity 
of  building  a  meeting-house,  for  the  space  of 
about  four  years,  in  Lower-Penn's-Neck,  during 
which  period  we  had  frequently  held  our  meetings 
under  the  trees,  when  the  weather  admitted. 
One  day,  meeting  with  a  carpenter,  I  agreed  with 
him  to  build  one.  He  came  at  the  time  appointed. 
I  told  him  we  had  got  no  timber  for  the  building, 
and  therefore  I  must  go  a  begging.  Accordingly 
we  set  out  and  went  to  a  neighbour,  and  told  him 
we  were  going  to  build  a  house  for  God,  and 
asked  him  what  he  would  give  us  towards  it;  he 
answered,  two  sticks  of  timber  for  sills.  We  then 
went  to  the  widow  M'C.'s,  a  professing  Quaker, 
and  she  gave  us  two  more,  and  sent  her  team  to 
haul  them  to  the  place.  We  then  went  to  Mr. 
William  Philpot,  and  he  gave  us  sufficient  for 
the  house,  though  not  even  a  professor  with  us: 
may  the  Lord  reward  him  accordingly.  I  then 
went  among  our  friends,  and  told  them  that  they 
must  come  and  help  to  get  the  timber.  They  did 
so,  and  we  began  on  Tuesday  morning,  and  by 
Friday  night  we  had  all  the  timber  at  the  place. 
Brother  Henry  Ffirth,  a  steward  of  the  circuit, 
and  myself,  were  appointed  managers  to  carry  on 
the  building.  The  Friday  week  following,  we 
raised  our  house,  and  in  the  afternoon  preached 
on  the  foundation.  In  six  weeks  the  carpenter 
had  done  his  work,  and  I  begged  the  money  and 
paid  him.  This  proved  a  great  blessing  to  the 
neighbourhood,  the  greater  part  of  which  became 
r  2 


Visits  Pennsylvania. 


methodized,  and  man)'  were  moralized  and  chris- 
tianized, while  the  enemies  of  truth  daily  lost 
ground,  and  bigotry  gradually  declined. 

I  had  been  for  some  time  pressed  in  spirit  to 
visit  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  love  and  fear  of 
God,  I  set  out  with  my  life  in  my  hand,  it  being 
a  time  when  the  war  was  raging  through  our 
land.  I  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Newcastle,  and 
that  night  at  early  candle-light,  I  preached  at 
R.  F's.  to  a  pack  of  ruffians,  assembled  in  order 
to  mob  me,  and  one  stood  with  a  bottle  of  rum  in 
his  hand,  swearing  he  would  throw  it  at  my 
head ;  but  Mr.  F.  stood  in  the  door  and  prevented 
him.  If  ever  I  preached  the  terrors  of  the  law, 
I  did  it  then — hoping  some  good  seed  might  be 
sown  in  some  hearts. 

I  went  next  day  to  J.  S.'s  and  preached  in  the 
evening  to  a  small  but  attentive  congregation. 
Here  some  souls  appeared  very  happy.  In  time 
of  my  last  prayer,  a  woman  fell  to  the  floor,  and 
cried  mightily  unto  God  for  a  clean  heart,  and 
after  some  time  lay  as  one  dead;  but  when  she 
came  to,  she  said  God  had  given  her  a  clean 
heart,  and  cried  out,  "O  that  I  could  go  to  my 
Jesus  !  O  that  I  could  die  !"  This  was  her  lan- 
guage for  the  space  of  three  hours,  without  rising 
from  the  floor.  I  then  told  her  she  should  not 
die,  that  God  had  something  for  her  to  do,  and 
that  she  could  not  die  when  she  would.  She 
then  said,  "O  Daddy  Abbott,  how  can  I  live?" 
repeating  it  over  and  over  again.  I  went  to  bed 
and  left  her.    She  continued  all  night  in  prayer. 

I  went  to  J.  H's;  here  I  preached  chiefly  to 
Baptists  (there  were  two  or  three  sheep  here,  but 
they  were  afraid  to  hold  up  their  heads);  as  soon 
as  I  had  concluded,  I  was  attacked  by  several  of 


Attacked  by  several  Baptists.  85 


them.  I  tolil  them  that  if  God  had  fore-ordained 
such  a  certain  number  for  salvation,  and  pre- 
ordained the  remainder  for  damnation,  it  was  in 
vain  to  attempt  to  persuade  me  to  renounce  my 
principles,  for  let  me  do  what  I  would,  I  was 
certainly  as  well  off  as  they  were,  and  laid  before 
them  the  absurdity  of  such  antiscriptural  doc- 
trines, and  so  we  parted. 

Next  day  I  preached  at  brother  H.'s  to  a  large 
congregation.  Here  God  attended  the  word  with 
power,  many  poor  sinners  were  cut  to  the  heart, 
and  some  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  After  preach- 
ing, a  dear  old  woman  came  and  said,  "  This  is 
the  gospel  trump  !  I  heard  it  sounded  by  Mr. 
Whitfield  twenty-five  years  ago;  it  is  the  same: 
I  know  it."  I  spent  a  precious  evening  with  the 
old  lady  and  her  husband,  conversing  on  the  things 
of  God.  In  the  morning  I  went  to  my  appoint- 
ment, and  preached  to  about  ten  hard-hearted 
sinners. 

Next  day  I  set  out  for  my  appointment,  but 
being  a  stranger  I  stopped  at  a  house  to  inquire 
the  way,  and  the  man  told  me  he  was  just  going 
to  that  place,  for  there  was  to  be  a  Methodist 
preacher  there  that  day;  and  "Our  preacher," 
said  he,  "is  to  be  there  to  trap  him  in  his  dis- 
course, and  if  you  will  wait  a  few  minutes,  until 
a  neighbour  of  mine  comes,  I  will  go  with  you." 
In  a  few  minutes  the  man  came,  who  it  seems 
was  a  constable.  So  we  set  oflf,  and  they  soon 
fell  into  conversation  about  the  preacher,  having 
no  idea  of  my  being  the  man,  as  I  never  wore 
black  or  any  kind  of  garb  that  indicated  my 
being  a  preacher,  I  rode  unsuspected. 

The  constable  being  a  very  profane  man,  h« 
swore  by  all  the  gods  he  had,  good  and  bad,  that 


86  A  swearing  Constable. 

he  would  lose  his  right  arm  from  his  body,  if  the 
Methodist  preacher  did  not  go  to  jail  that  day. 
This  was  the  theme  of  their  discourse.  My 
mind  was  greatly  exercised  on  the  occasion,  and 
what  added,  as  it  were,  double  weight,  I  was  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  place,  where  I  knew  no  one. 
When  we  arrived  at  the  place  appointed,  I  saw 
about  two  hundred  horses  hitched.  I  also  hitched 
mine,  and  retired  into  the  woods,  where  I  prayed 
and  covenanted  with  God  on  my  knees  that  if  he 
stood  by  me  I  would  be  more  for  him,  through 
grace,  than  ever  I  had  been.  I  then  arose  and 
went  to  my  horse,  with  a  perfect  resignation  to 
the  will  of  God,  whether  to  death  or  to  jail.  I 
took  my  saddle  bags  and  went  to  the  house.  The 
man  took  me  into  a  private  room  and  desired  I 
would  preach  in  favour  of  the  war,  as  I  was  in 
a  Presbyterian  Settlement.  I  replied,  I  should 
preach  as  God  should  direct  me.  He  appeared 
very  uneasy  and  left  me,  and  just  before  preach- 
ing he  came  in  again,  and  renewed  his  request 
that  I  should  preach  up  for  war.  I  replied  as 
before,  and  then  followed  him  out  among  the 
people,  where  he  made  proclamation  as  follows  : 
"Gentlemen,  this  house  is  my  own,  and  no  gen. 
tleman  shall  be  interrupted  in  my  house  in  time 
of  his  discourse,  but  after  he  has  done  you  may 
do  as  you  please." 

Thank  God,  said  I  softly,  that  I  have  liberty 
once  more  to  warn  sinners  before  I  die.  I  then 
took  my  stand,  and  the  house  was  much  crowded, 
some  hundreds  were  about  the  door.  I  stood 
about  two  or  three  feet  from  the  constable,  who 
had  sworn  so  bitterly;  when  he  saw  that  I  was 
the  man  that  he  had  so  abused  on  the  way,  with 
so  many  threats  and  oaths,  his  countenance  fell 


Preaches  with  great  power.  87 

and  he  turned  pale.  I  gave  out  an  hymn,  but  no 
one  offered  to  sing,  I  sung  four  lines  and  then 
kneeled  down  and  prayed.  When  I  arose,  I 
preached  with  great  liberty.  I  felt  such  power 
from  God  rest  upon  me,  that  I  was  above  the 
fear  of  either  men  or  devils,  not  regarding  whe- 
ther death  or  jail  should  be  my  lot.  Looking 
forward  I  saw  a  decent  looking  man  trembling, 
and  tears  flowed  in  abundance,  which  I  soon  dis- 
covered was  the  case  with  many  others. 

After  preaching,  I  told  them  I  expected  they 
wanted  to  know  by  what  authority  I  came  into 
that  country  to  preach.  I  then  told  them  my 
conviction  and  conversion, — the  place  of  my  na- 
tivity, and  place  of  residence  ;  also  my  call  to 
the  ministry,  and  that  seven  years  I  had  laboured 
in  God's  vineyard;  that  I  spent  my  own  money, 
and  found  and  wore  my  own  clothes;  and  that  it 
was  the  love  that  I  had  for  their  precious  souls, 
for  whom  Christ  died,  that  had  induced  me  to 
come  among  them  at  the  risk  of  my  life;  and  then 
exhorted  them  to  fly  to  Jesus,  the  ark  of  safety; 
that  all  things  were  ready;  to  seek  and  they 
should  And;  to  knock  and  it  should  be  opened 
unto  them.  By  this  time  the  people  were  gene- 
rally melted  into  tears.  I  then  concluded,  and 
told  them  on  that  day  two  weeks  they  might  ex- 
pect preaching  again. 

I  mounted  my  horse,  and  set  out  with  a  friendly 
Quaker  for  a  pilot.  We  had  not  rode  above  fifty 
yards,  when  I  heard  one  halloing  after  us.  I 
looked  back,  and  saw  about  fifty  running  after 
us.  I  then  concluded  that  to  jail  I  must  go.  We 
stopped,  and  when  they  came  up,  "I  crave  your 
name,"  said  one;  I  told  him,  and  so  we  parted. 
He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  the  person 


88  A  Preacher  committed  to  Jail. 


I  had  taken  notice  of  in  time  of  preaching,  and 
ohserved  to  be  in  great  anxiety  of  mind.  No  one 
offered  me  any  violence,  but  they  committed  the 
next  preacher,  on  that  day  two  weeks,  to  the  com- 
mon jail.  I  went  home  with  the  kind  Quaker, 
where  I  tarried  all  night.  I  found  that  himself 
and  wife  were  under  serious  impressions,  and  had 
had  Methodist  preaching  at  their  house.  They 
were  very  kind,  and  we  spent  the  evening  in 
conversing  on  the  things  of  God.  Here  A.  C. 
one  of  our  young  preachers,  met  me,  intending 
to  go  round  the  circuit  with  me. 

We  set  out  for  next  preaching  place,  where  we 
found  a  small  congregation.  I  had  great  liberty 
in  preaching,  and  we  had  a  blessed  time.  One 
woman  fell  to  the  floor.  Brother  C.  was  greatly 
tried  at  hearing  the  cries  of  the  people. 

The  following  day  we  went  on  to  our  next  ap- 
pointment, in  a  school-house,  where  we  had  a 
considerable  congregation.  I  spoke  with  great 
liberty;  two  fell  under  the  power  of  God,  and 
when  they  came  to  they  had  found  peace.  After 
class-meeting  we  went  home  with  one  of  our 
friends,  and  next  day  preached  at  his  house. 
The  Lord  attended  the  word  with  power;  several 
cried  aloud  for  mercy.  In  class  we  had  a  melting 
time,  and  two  fell  to  the  floor.  This  tried  Bro- 
ther C.  again,  and  he  asked  me  why  I  did  not 
command  them  to  be  silent.  I  told  him  that 
these  were  not  Jersey  people,  and  I  had  not 
learned  them  to  fall  down  and  cry  out,  as  the 
people  in  your  neighbourhood  say  I  have  learned 
the  Jersey  people.  Here  you  may  see  for  your- 
self, that  it  is  the  power  of  God.  "Why,"  said 
he,  "Brother  G.  would  forbid  them."  I  told  him 
it  mattered  not  what  Brother  G.  would  do,  I  knew 


The  mighty  power  of  God.  89 

it  was  the  power  of  God,  and  therefore  if  every 
cry  was  as  loud  as  ever  he  heard  a  clap  of  thunder, 
I  would  not  forbid  them. 

Next  day  we  went  to  our  appointment,  where 
the  congregation  was  chiefly  Germans,  and  a 
well  beliaved  people.  Here  the  Lord  wrought 
wonders,  divers  fell  to  the  floor,  and  several 
found  peace.  We  had  a  lively  class,  and  a  pre- 
cious melting  time  among  the  people  of  God. 
Many  tarried  to  hear  what  I  had  seen  through 
the  land,  of  the  wonderful  works  of  God.  In 
family  prayer,  the  power  of  God  came  on  me  in 
so  wonderful  a  manner,  that  I  lost  both  the 
power  of  my  body,  and  use  of  my  speech,  and 
cried  out  in  a  strange  manner.  The  people  also 
cried  aloud,  here  I  thought  I  should  fright<  D 
them,  being  in  a  strange  country  and  among  a 
people  of  a  strange  language,  and  was  afraid  it 
might  prove  a  disadvantage  to  them;  but  glory  to 
God  it  had  a  contrary  effect,  for  they  continued 
all  night  in  prayer. 

Next  morning  I  set  out  with  about  twenty 
others  for  my  appointment,  where  we  found  a 
large  congregation.  When  I  came  to  my  appli- 
cation, the  power  of  the  Lord  came  in  such  a 
manner,  that  the  people  fell  all  about  the  house, 
and  their  cries  might  be  heard  afar  off.  This 
alarmed  the  wicked,  who  sprang  for  the  doors  in 
such  haste,  that  they  fell  one  over  another  in 
heaps.  The  cry  of  mourners  was  so  great,  I 
thought  to  give  out  a  hymn  to  drown  the  noise, 
and  desired  one  of  our  English  friends  to  raise  it, 
but  as  soon  as  he  began  to  sing,  the  power  of  the 
Lord  struck  him,  and  he  pitched  under  the  table, 
and  there  lay  like  a  dead  man.  I  gave  it  out 
again  and  asked  another  to  raise  it,  ai  toon  as 


90 


A  Pentecost. 


he  attempted  he  fell  also.  I  then  made  a  third 
attempt,  and  the  power  of  God  came  upon  me  in 
such  a  manner,  that  I  cried  out  and  was  amazed. 
I  then  saw  that  I  was  fighting  against  God,  and 
did  not  attempt  to  sing  again.  Mr.  Beam,  the 
owner  of  the  house,  and  a  preacher  among  the 
Germans,  cried  out,  "I  never  saw  God  in  this 
way  before."  I  replied,  "This  is  a  Pentecost, 
daddy."  "Yes,  be  sure,"  said  he,  clapping  his 
hands;  "a  Pentecost,  be  sure  !"  Prayer  was  all 
through  the  house,  up  stairs  and  down.  I  de- 
sired Mr.  Beam  to  go  to  prayer,  he  did  so,  and 
five  or  six  of  us  did  the  same.  A  watch-night 
having  been  appointed  for  that  evening,  and 
seeing  no  prospect  of  this  meeting  being  over, 
although  it  had  begun  at  elven  o'clock,  I  told 
Mr.  Beam  that  we  had  best  quietly  withdraw 
from  the  meeting-house.  When  we  had  got  out 
of  the  door,  a  young  man  came  out  and  laid  hold 
on  the  fence  to  support  himself  from  falling,  and 
there  halloed  amain,  for  God  to  have  mercy  on 
him.  "To  be  sure,"  said  Mr.  Beam,  "I  never 
saw  God  in  this  way  before."  We  exhorted  him 
to  look  to  God,  and  not  give  up  the  struggle, 
and  God  would  bless  him  before  he  left  the  place. 
I  took  the  old  gentleman  by  the  arm,  and  we 
went  quietly  to  the  house  to  get  some  dinner. 

About  five  o'clock  a  messenger  came  from  the 
preaching-house,  requesting  that  I  would  go 
there  immediately,  for  there  was  a  person  dying. 
We  went  without  delay.  I  went  up  stairs,  and 
there  lay  several  about  the  floor,  some  crying  for 
mercy,  and  others  praising  God.  I  then  went  into 
the  preaching  room,  and  there  they  lay  about  the 
floor  in  like  manner.  I  then  went  to  see  the  person 
said  to  be  dying — she  lay  gasping.  I  kneeled  down 


A  German  preacher. 


91 


)  pray,  but  it  was  instantly  given  me,  that  God 
ad  converted  her  soul;  and,  therefore,  instead 
f  praying  for  her  deliverance,  I  gave  God  thanks 
lat  he  had  delivered  her,  and  immediately  she 
rose  and  praised  God  for  what  he  had  done  for 
er  soul. 

A  young  German  came  to  me  and  clasped  me 
a  his  arms,  hut  could  not  speak  English  that  I 
ould  understand.  I  then  retired  to  the  house, 
nd  consulted  with  Mr.  Beam  who  should  preach 
n  the  evening,  for  I  thought  it  would  be  best  for 
ne  of  the  German  preachers  to  speak  first,  there 
■eing  several  present.  The  rumour  having  run 
hrough  the  neighbourhood,  of  the  power  of  God 
iiiring  the  day,  we  had  a  very  large  congregation 
n  the  evening,  to  whom  one  of  the  German 
ireachers  preached.  It  appeared  to  me  he  spake 
vith  life  and  power.  After  him  Brother  C.  gave 
n  exhortation,  hut  being  confused  and  an  enemy 

0  the  work,  his  discourse  was  attended  with 
leither  life  nor  power.  Then  Mr.  Beam  gave 
n  exhortation  in  the  German  language,  and 
fter  him  a  young  man  gave  a  warm  exhortation 
n  the  same  tongue.  Then  I  arose,  and  hardly 
:new  how  to  speak,  there  had  been  so  much  said, 
ind  it  was  now  growing  late.  However  I  spoke, 
md  the  Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand,  as  he  had 
lone  in  the  day  time,  divers  fled  and  made  their 
escape  out  of  the  house;  and  then  it  appeared  as 
f  there  were  none  left  but  what  were  earnestly 
:ngaged  in  prayer,  some  praising  God,  and  others 
Tying  to  him  for  mercy.    I  told  Mr.  Beam  that 

1  should  not  be  fit  for  the  duties  of  the  ensuing 
lay  if  I  did  not  retire.  So  we  went  to  the  house 
ibout  twelve  o'clock,  and  took  some  refreshment 
md  went  to  bed.    In  the  morning  I  found  that 


92  Many  truly  awakened. 


the  people  were  still  engaged,  and  had  been  so 
all  night.  I  went  to  the  house  about  sun  an 
hour  high,  where  I  found  about  one  dozen  still 
engaged  in  prayer.  I  told  them  we  ought  to 
begin  to  prepare  for  the  other  meeting,  so  they 
broke  up. 

We  set  out  with  about  forty  friends  to  the  next 
appointment.  The  people  being  gathered,  after 
singing  and  prayer,  I  began  to  preach,  and  God 
laid  to  his  helping  hand,  and  many  cried  aloud 
for  mercy.  One  young  man,  being  powerfully 
wrought  upon,  retired  up  stairs  and  there  thump- 
ed about  upon  the  floor  so,  that  Mr.  Beam  was 
afraid  that  he  would  be  injured  in  body.  "T& 
be  sure,"  said  he,  "  I  never  saw  God  in  this  way 
before."  I  told  him  there  was  no  danger,  ht 
was  in  the  hands  of  a  merciful  God.  In  a  few 
minutes  after,  in  attempting  to  come  down  stairs 
he  fell  from  the  top  to  the  bottom  and  halloei 
aloud,  "The  devil  is  in  the  chamber!  the  devi 
is  in  the  chamber!"  which  greatly  alarmed  al 
the  people.  This  brought  a  great  damp  over  m? 
spirits,  for  I  thought  if  I  had  raised  the  devil,  ] 
might  as  well  go  home  again.  However,  after  i 
little  space,  I  bid  some  of  the  dear  people  go  uj 
stairs  and  see  if  the  devil  was  there;  severa 
went  up  to  see  what  the  matter  was,  and  ther 
they  found  a  man  rolling,  groaning,  and  crying 
to  God  for  mercy :  they  returned  and  told  ui 
how  the  matter  stood.  Win  n  I  dismissed  thj 
people,  many  wept  around  me,  some  said  the 
had  found  peace,  others  were  truly  awakenec 
and  many  deeply  convicted. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


iereral  fully  sanctified — The  Congregation  falls  —  Opposer 
brought  down — Water!  Water! — He  attempts  to  quench 
the  Spirit. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  where 
I  met  a  small  congregation,  to  whom  I  expound- 
ed the  word.  Met  a  small  class,  had  a  good  time 
with  them. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  it  was  in  a 
large  store-house;  but  the  most  dirty  place  I 
ever  had  been  in.  I  had  no  stomach  to  eat,  they 
were  so  monstrously  filthy;  and  when  in  bed,  I 
was  ready  to  be  devoured  with  fleas  and  bugs. 
Here  there  seemed  but  little  good  done. 

My  next  appointment  was  in  a  Presbyterian 
Settlement,  where  I  preached  to  a  large  congre- 
gation of  stiff-necked  sinners,  with  but  little  or 
no  prospect  of  any  good  being  done.  I  left  them 
without  making  any  appointment,  and  went  that 
evening  to  the  place  of  my  next  appointment, 
where  I  met  with  about  twenty  persons,  who  had 
assembled  together.  I  gave  them  a  word  of  ex- 
hortation, and  insisted  on  sanctification  and  holi- 
ness of  heart :  here  was  a  general  weeping,  and 
the  word  took  such  an  effect  on  two  young  men, 
that  they  both  fell  to  the  floor,  and  one  of  them 
cried  out  in  like  manner  as  I  had  done  when  the 
Lord  had  sanctified  my  soul.  I  said  God  is  about 
to  sanctify  them,  especially  that  one  whose  cry 
represented  my  own  under  the  like  operation. 
Here  we  had  a  precious  and  powerful  time  in 
family  worship.  The  young  men  both  declared 
that  G  >d  had  sanctified  them,  and  were  as  happy 


94  A  testimony  for  Jesus. 


as  they  could  live,  praising  God  with  loud  accla- 
mations of  joy. 

Next  day  the  people  gathered,  and  we  had  a 
tolerable  congregation.  God  attended  the  word 
with  power,  and  some  cried  out.  We  had  a 
favoured  time  both  in  preaching  and  in  class. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment  and  preached 
in  the  evening.  God  attended  the  word  with 
power,  and  some  cried  out.  In  meeting  the  class, 
three  or  four  professed  sanctification. 

Next  day,  at  my  appointment,  I  met  with  my 
worthy  friend  and  brother  in  Christ,  J.  Sterling, 
of  New  Jersey,  whom  I  was  glad  to  see,  having 
wrote  to  him  some  days  before,  and  informed  him 
how  God  was  carrying  on  his  work.  In  two 
days  after  he  had  received  the  account  he  met  me 
here.  We  had  a  crowded  house,  and  the  Lord 
laid  to  his  helping  hand;  divers  fell  to  the  floor, 
and  some  cried  aloud  for  mercy. 

After  preaching,  an  old  Presbyterian  gentle- 
man attacked  me,  and  told  me  that  it  was  all  the 
work  of  the  devil;  that  God  was  a  God  of  order, 
and  this  was  a  perfect  confusion.  "Well,"  said 
I,  "if  this  be  the  work  of  the  devil,  these  people 
(many  of  whom  then  lay  on  the  floor  as  dead 
men),  when  they  come  to,  will  curse  and  swear 
and  rage  like  devils;  but  if  it  be  of  God,  their 
notes  will  be  changed :"  soon  after  one  of  them 
came  to,  and  he  began  to  praise  God  with  a  loud 
voice,  and  soon  another,  and  so  on,  until  divers 
of  them  bore  a  testimony  for  Jesus.  "  Hark  ! 
hark  !"  said  I  to  my  old  opponent,  "brother,  do 
you  hear  them,  this  is  not  the  language  of  hell, 
but  the  language  of  Canaan."  I  then  appointed 
prayer-meeting  at  a  friend's  house  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. 


Old  Presbyterian  opponent.  95 

After  the  people  had  gathered,  I  saw  my  old 
opponent  amongst  them.  I  gave  out  a  hymn, 
and  Brother  S.  went  to  prayer,  and  after  him 
myself;  I  had  spoken  but  a  few  words  before 
Brother  S.  fell  to  the  floor,  and  soon  after  him 
every  soul  in  the  house,  except  myself  and  my 
old  Presbyterian  opponent  and  two  others.  I 
arose  and  gave  an  exhortation  and  the  two  men 
fell,  one  as  if  he  had  been  shot;  and  then  they 
were  every  soul  down  in  the  house,  except  myself 
and  my  old  opponent.  He  began  immediately  to 
dispute  the  point,  telling  me  it  was  all  a  delusion 
and  the  work  of  Satan.  I  told  him  to  stand  still, 
and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord.  As  they  came 
to,  they  all  praised  God,  and  not  one  soul  but 
what  professed  either  to  have  received  justifica- 
tion or  sanctification  ;  eight  of  whom  professed 
the  latter.  I  then  replied,  "  Hark !  is  this  the 
language  of  hell  ?  Here  your  eyes  have  seen  the 
salvation  of  the  Lord."  The  old  man  left  us  a 
little  better  satisfied  than  at  first. 

Next  morning  Brother  S.  went  to  prayer,  and 
a  woman  fell  to  the  floor  and  halloed  aloud. 
Then  I  went  to  prayer,  and  Brother  S.  and  seve- 
ral others  fell  under  the  mighty  power  of  God; 
but  I  was  under  some  exercise  of  mind,  as  the 
house  fronted  the  public  highway,  lest  any  passing 
by  might  hear  the  screeches  and  cries,  and  con- 
clude that  some  one  was  committing  murder. 
But  they  all  arose  except  the  old  woman,  and  I 
desired  that  they  would  take  her  up  and  lay  her 
on  a  bed,  for  we  had  spent  so  much  time  here 
that  time  called  us  away  to  our  next  appointment, 
which  was  about  seven  miles  distant. 

Here  we  met  with  my  old  Presbyterian  oppo- 
nent again;  on  seeing  him  I  was  sorry,  for  I  con- 


96  Old  opponent  falls  to  the  floor. 


eluded  that  we  should  have  some  disputing  again. 
I  fixed  my  eyes  on  him  and  cried  mightily  to  God, 
that  if  one  man  fell  that  day  it  might  be  him. 
As  I  was  preaching,  I  heard  several  cry  out, 
"Water!  water!  the  man  is  fainting!"  I  looked 
round  and  saw  it  was  my  old  opponent  trembling 
like  Belshazzar:  I  told  them  to  let  him  alone  and 
to  look  to  themselves,  for  it  was  the  power  of 
God  that  had  arrested  him.  They  let  him  go, 
and  down  he  fell  on  the  floor,  struggled  awhile, 
and  then  lay  as  one  dead.  When  I  finished  my 
discourse  and  dismissed  the  people,  in  order  to 
meet  the  class,  I  desired  some  of  our  friends  to 
carry  him  out,  as  he  was  in  our  way;  they  did 
so,  and  laid  him  on  a  bed  in  a  back  room.  After 
class,  I  went  to  see  my  old  opponent;  he  had 
just  come  to,  and  was  sitting  on  the  bed:  now, 
thought  I,  is  this  the  work  of  the  devil  or  not; 
but  said  nothing  to  him,  nor  he  to  me. 

Next  morning  we  went  to  our  appointment, 
where  Ave  had  a  large  congregation.  Looking 
round,  I  saw  my  old  Presbyterian  friend  again. 
This  was  nine  miles  distant  from  my  former  ap- 
pointment; I  felt  great  freedom  in  speaking:  a 
woman  began  to  shake  in  a  powerful  manner, 
and  three  or  four  cried  "Water!  water!"  I  told 
them  it  was  the  power  of  God  that  had  fallen  on 
her,  so  they  let  her  go  and  down  she  fell  on  the 
floor.  I  bid  them  look  to  themselves,  and  went 
on  with  my  discourse;  some  wept,  others  sighed, 
and  many  groaned.  When  I  dismissed  the  people, 
not  one  of  them  offered  to  go.  I  then  desired 
some  one  to  speak  to  them,  and  brother  C.  arose 
and  said,  "You  stand  amazed  at  the  power  of 
God,  and  well  you  may,"  and  gave  a  smart  ex- 
hortation.   By  this  time  I  had  gathered  a  little 


His  old  opponent  gives  an  exhortation,  97 

strength,  and  gave  them  an  exhortation :  they  all 
wept  through  the  house.  I  then  said,  "For  God's 
sake,  if  any  can  speak  for  God,  say  on,  for  I  can 
speak  no  more."  Who  should  arise  but  my  old 
Presbyterian  opponent,  and  began  with  informing 
them  that  he  was  not  one  of  this  sect,  that  he 
had  been  with  me  four  days,  and  that  he  never 
had  seen  the  power  of  God  in  this  way  before, 
and  added,  "it  is  the  power  of  God!"  and  gave 
a  warm  exhortation  for  about  three-quarters  of 
an  hour. 

I  then  dismissed  the  people,  and  told  them 
I  was  so  exhausted  that  I  was  unable  to  speak  to 
them  at  present:  but  they  still  seemed  loath  to 
go  away.  Several  Quakers  asked  me  questions, 
but  in  a  friendly  manner,  concerning  the  work 
they  had  heard  of.  I  told  them  that  their  eyes 
had  seen  it.  The  woman  before  mentioned,  rose 
\ip  and  testified  that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul, 
and  spoke  to  the  people,  testifying  what  God  had 
done  for  her  soul.  I  told  them  that  they  had 
seen  how  the  power  of  God  had  wrought  upon  her. 
After  this  the  people  withdrew.  I  spent  the 
evening  to  my  satisfaction  with  the  family,  and  a 
neighbour  who  tarried  all  night. 

Early  next  morning  a  young  man  came  in,  and 
after  asking  how  we  all  did,  burst  into  tears;  I 
asked  him  what  was  the  matter.  "Why,"  said 
he,  "yesterday  my  brother  was  struck  under 
your  preaching,  and  we  thought  last  night  that 
he  was  dying,  and  sent  for  some  of  the  neigh- 
bours. He  now  desires  you  to  come,  for  he 
wishes  to  see  you."  I  told  the  young  man  to  in- 
form his  brother,  that  after  breakfast  I  purposed 
to  come.  When  we  went,  we  found  seven  or 
eight  of  the  neighbours,  who  had  assembled  in 


98  A  young  man  in  great  distress. 

order  to  see  him  die.  He  said,  "I  was  very 
much  terrified  yesterday  under  preaching,  and 
alter  I  got  home,  I  was  struck  like  a  clap  of 
thunder,  and  all  my  sins  were  set  hefore  me,  and 
I  fell  like  a  log  on  the  floor,  and  thought  I  was 
going  to  die,  and  expected  to  be  in  hell  among 
devils  and  damned  ghosts,  which  I  saw  round 
me;  and  I  cried  aloud  to  God  to  have  mercy  on 
me,  and  our  people  thought  that  I  was  crazy  and 
was  going  to  die:  accordingly,  they  sent  for  the 
neighbours  as  you  see."  I  continued  until  after 
midnight.  "Well  but,"  said  I,  "how  do  you 
feel  now ;  do  you  feel  that  curse,  that  pain,  and 
anxiety  in  your  breast  that  you  did  then  ?" 
<!No,"  said  he.  "How  do  you  feel?"  "Why, 
I  feel  at  perfect  peace,  and  my  heart  is  as  light 
as  a  feather."  "Why,"  said  I,  "God  has  con- 
verted your  soul."  At  that  instant  he  started  on 
his  feet,  and  threw  off  the  blanket  that  he  had 
wrapped  about  him,  clapped  his  hands,  and 
shouted  glory  to  God  for  what  he  had  done  for 
him:  and  was  perfectly  well,  both  in  body  and 
mind.  I  turned  to  his  mother,  and  said,  "  Thank 
God  that  you  have  this  day  a  son  born;  and  to 
the  neighbours,  you  have  seen  the  mighty  power 
of  God."  His  mother  immediately  cried  out, 
"Aw;iy  with  you,  I  want  no  more  of  you  here. 
Whitfield  was  here  like  you,  turning  the  world 
upside  down;  I  want  no  more  of  your  being  born 
again."  "Mammy,"  said  I,  "were  you  ever 
born  again?"  "  Yes,"  said  she.  "When?"  said 
I.  "When,"  replied  she,  "why  when  I  was 
christened;  and,  besides,  I  took  the 'sacrament 
when  1  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  was  made 
a  member  of  Christ's  mystical  body."  "My 
dear  mot]  ei   '  r..n!  I,  "you  were  born  blind,  and 


A  tcomait  raging  like  a  devil. 


99 


are  so  to  the  present  moment;"  and  then  quoted 
several  texts  to  convince  her  of  her  ignorance  in 
the  things  of  God;  but  she  replied,  "Whitfield 
was  here  before  you,  driving  people  mad;  away 
with  you,  I  want  no  more  of  you  here."  Seeing 
there  was  no  prospect  of  doing  any  more  good,  I 
departed  in  possession  of  peace,  leaving  her 
raging  like  a  devil. 

\Ve  went  on  to  our  appointment,  where  we  had 
a  small  congregation  of  dead  stupid  people.  A 
few  Quakers  attended,  that  had  been  out  the  day 
before.  After  meeting,  one  of  them  kindly  asked 
me  to  go  home  with  him.  My  next  appointment 
being  in  his  neighbourhood,  I  went.  Next 
morning,  when  I  inquired  for  him,  I  was  in. 
formed  that  he  was  gone  out,  but  would  be  in 
again.  After  some  time  he  returned,  and  with 
him  an  old  friend,  whom  I  took  to  be  a  preacher. 
I  then  began  to  think  what  discourse  I  should 
introduce,  as  I  had  reason  to  think  he  had  beeu 
brought  to  try  what  foundation  I  stood  upon: 
however,  I  began  to  speak  of  the  depths  of  reli- 
gion, and  what  they  held  of  justification  and 
sanctilication;  I  then  told  my  conviction  and 
conversion,  how  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  had 
wrought  upon  me,  even  four  times  in  that  cir- 
cuit, in  such  a  manner  that  it  had  taken  awav 
the  use  of  my  limbs.  At  that  instant  it  came  on 
me  so  powerfully,  that  I  fell.  I  endeavoured  to 
quench  the  Spirit,  for  I  expected,  as  they  were 
strangers  to  the  like  operation,  that  I  should 
frighten  them.  In  a  few  minutes,  I  arose  and 
went  into  the  parlour,  where  the  Spirit  of  God 
came  upon  me  as  if  one  had  pierced  a  sword 
through  me.  I  cried  so  loud  that  it  alarmed  the 
people  at  the  barn,  who  came  running  into  the 


100        A  woman  struck  to  the  ground. 


house  to  see  what  was  the  matter;  but  they 
hastened  out  of  the  house  as  fast  as  they  came  in. 
I  cried  out  in  an  amazing  manner,  and  when  the 
Lord  had,  in  some  measure,  withdrawn  his  Spirit, 
I  looked  round  and  found  them  all  in  tears. 
Those  who  had  fled  out  of  the  house  were  at  the 
windows. 

The  old  friend  who  came  with  the  man  of  the 
house,  blessed  God,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  that 
he  ever  had  seen  such  a  man;  telling  me,  "  If  I 
would  go  with  him,  I  should  preach  in  their 
school-house,  which  was  large  and  convenient." 
I  told  him  I  could  not  leave  my  circuit,  but  thanked 
him  for  his  kind  offer.  "But,"  said  he,  "  if  thou 
wilt  come  to  our  house,  thou  mayest  preach  in 
our  meeting-house."  I  told  him  they  would 
not  let  me.  "Yes,"  said  he,  "thou  art  a  plain 
man,  and  lookest  like  one  of  us ;  I  warrant  thee 
they  will  let  thee."  But  I  told  him,  I  did  not 
know  that  ever  my  lot  would  be  cast  in  that 
quarter  again,  and  therefore  could  not  promise 
him.  "Well,"  said  he,  "we  will  go  and  hear 
thee  to-day." 

So  the  good  woman  hurried  breakfast,  and  we 
all  went  to  meeting,  which  was  about  one  mile 
distant,  where  we  found  a  large  congregation; 
for  the  alarm  had  spread.  I  preached,  and  God 
attended  the  word  with  power.  The  power  of 
God  struck  the  woman  of  the  house  to  the  floor ; 
she  cried  to  the  Lord  for  mercy;  but  she  was 
soon  tempted  that  it  was  witchcraft,  and  that  she 
was  bewitched,  and  must  now  leave  her  husband 
and  children,  and  follow  me  through  the  world. 
I  returned  with  my  friends,  and  tarried  all  night. 
We  spent  the  evening  satisfactorily  in  conversing 
on  the  things  of  God.    In  the  morning  I  went  to 


The  shout  of  a  kinij  in  the  camp.  101 


prayer  among  them ;  and  the  man  of  the  house 
went  with  me  about  four  miles,  and  put  me  into 
a  road  that  led  to  the  meeting-house;  and  here 
we  parted  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

A  great  day — Threatened  to  be  shot — Cry  for  clean  hearts — 
Ocean  of  love — Many  sanctified — His  son  David  a  preacher 
— Preaches  in  the  woods — Leaves  the  slain — Plain  old  man 
— Loud  shout. 

When  I  arrived  at  my  appointment,  I  found 
a  large  congregation,  and  among  the  rest,  the 
woman  who  thought  she  was  bewitched.  Here 
God  attended  the  word  with  power;  some  fell, 
and  others  ran  out  of  the  door.  One  woman 
going  out,  met  another  coming  in,  and  said  to 
her,  "Do  not  you  go  in,  for  you  cannot  stand 
it."  Several  who  had  been  long  in  the  society, 
professed  to  have  found  peace,  and  others  sancti- 
lication.  We  had  the  shout  of  a  king  in  the 
camp :  many  said  it  was  the  greatest  they  had 
ever  seen  in  that  place. 

I  went  home  with  one  of  our  friends,  and  as  he 
was  going  to  put  up  my  horse,  the  aforesaid 
woman  came,  and  I  asked  her  if  she  was  gointr 
to  tarry  all  night;  she  said  she  was;  I  went  and 
asked  our  friend  who  the  woman  was:  he  said  he 
did  not  know.  After  we  had  put  up  our  horses, 
we  went  over  to  one  of  our  friends,  where  we 
found  several  of  the  neighbours,  with  whom  we 
held  a  prayer-meeting ;  we  had  a  powerful  time, 
and  I  was  happy  in  my  soul.  I  returned  with 
my  friend,  and  found  his  wife  and  the  woman 
sitting  up,  waiting  for  us.    We  went  to  family 


102      A  strange  relation  of  a  conversion. 

prayer,  and  the  power  of  God  so  came  upon  the 
woman,  that  she  fell  to  the  floor,  and  cried  out, 
"Lord,  have  I  called  thy  servant  an  enchanter? 
now  I  know  it  is  of  the  Lord ;"  and  praised  God 
as  she  lay  on  the  floor :  she  arose  and  said,  "  Now 
I  can  go  home  in  peace;"  and  in  the  morning  she 
departed. 

I  went  to  my  appointment,  and  finding  the 
people  flocking  together,  I  had  the  strangest  feel- 
ings that  I  had  ever  experienced,  something  like 
fainting  fits.  I  concluded  to  go  to  hed;  but 
seeing  such  a  multitude  of  people  together,  I 
thought  I  would  try  to  exhort,  accordingly  I  sang 
and  prayed,  the  panic  left  me,  my  soul  was  at 
perfect  liberty,  and  the  Lord  attended  the  word 
with  power.  I  met  the  society,  and  had  a  pre- 
cious time  among  the  dear  people  of  God.  Here 
I  found  several  under  awakening  by  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord.  One  woman  gave  me  a  strange  rela- 
tion of  her  conversion;  she  said,  "I  went  to  the 
Roman  chapel  out  of  an  idle  curiosity;  opening 
a  door  I  saw  the  representation  of  Christ  on  the 
cross,  and  the  blood  running  down  his  side;  it 
struck  me  with  such  an  awful  sense  of  my  sins, 
and  the  satisfaction  made  through  Ch'rist  for  sin, 
that  it  threw  me  into  sore  distress  for  salvation; 
I  went  home  and  in  about  two  weeks  found  peace 
and  joined  society."  She  appeared  to  be  a  wor- 
thy member  of  society,  from  what  I  could  learn. 
I  spent  the  evening  to  my  satisfaction,  in  convers- 
ing on  the  things  of  God. 

Next  day  I  set  off  for  my  appointment  at  Pott's 
Furnace,  which,  for  wickedness,  was  next  door  to 
hell.  Here  they  swore  that  they  would  shoot 
me.  Mrs.  Grace  hearing  of  their  threats,  and 
being  herself  unwell  and  unable  to  attend,  sent  a 


Threatened  to  be  shot. 


103 


person  to  moderate  the  furnace-men  and  colliers. 
Here  Brother  Sterling  met  me  again.  I  went 
into  the  house  and  preached  with  great  liberty. 
Several  of  the  collier's  faces  were  all  in  streaks, 
where  the  tears  ran  down  their  cheeks.  Brother 
S.  gave  an  exhortation,  and  was  very  happy  in 
delivering  the  truth.  After  meeting  we  went  to 
Mrs.  Grace's,  at  the  Forge.  The  old  lady  took 
me  by  the  hand,  and  said,  "I  never  was  so  glad 
to  see  a  man  in  the  world,  for  I  was  afraid  some 
of  the  furnace-men  had  killed  you,  for  they  swore 
bitterly  that  they  would  shoot  yon." 

We  tarried  all  night,  and  next  day  I  preached, 
and  the  Lord  was  precious;  many  wept  and 
sighed.  Mrs.  Grace  seemed  desirous  that  we 
should  appoint  another  meeting;  we  did  so,  and 
she  sent  out  and  gave  information,  and  Brother 
C.  preached,  for  I  was  so  broken  down,  that  I 
was  unable  to  say  much,  and  after  him  Brother 
S.  gave  an  exhortation. 

After  meeting  we  spent  the  evening  very 
agreeably  with  Mrs.  Grace,  her  daughter,  and 
grand-daughters;  her  daughter  was  under  con- 
viction. Next  morning,  in  family  prayer,  we  had 
a  precious  time,  the  Lord  opened  the  windows  of 
heaven,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  came  as  in  the  days 
of  Pentecost:  her  daughter  found  peace,  and  one 
of  her  grand-daughters  was  under  soul-distress, 
while  the  old  lady  was  on  the  wing  of  glory. 
Brother  S.  Brother  C.  and  myself  here  parted. 
They  went  home,  and  I  went  to  my  appointment 
at  D.  F.'s,  and  there  we  had  a  clever  congrega- 
tion; but  the  people  were  afraid  to  sit  near  me, 
having  been  informed  that  the  people  on  the  cir- 
cuit fell  like  dead  men.  I  preached,  and  we  had 
a  powerful  time,  many  were  cut  to  the  heart, 


104  His  sun  David  a  preacher. 


some  fell  to  the  floor,  and  several  cried  aloud  for 
mercy. 

Next  day  I  preached  at  Cloud's  meeting-house, 
and  at  night  held  a  prayer-meeting  at  their  house; 
it  seemed  to  he  the  only  cry  of  christians  for 
clean  hearts.  Several  were  lost  in  the  ocean  of 
love :  ive  had  a  powerful,  melting,  shouting 
time. 

Next  day  I  set  off  for  homo,  and  went  to  Wil- 
mington, and  preached  in  an  old  store-house  on 
the  wharf.  Some  people  went  through  the  town, 
and  said  there  was  an  old  sailor  cursing  and 
swearing  at  a  terrible  rate;  this  brought  the  peo- 
ple together  from  every  quarter,  and  the  house 
and  wharf  were  crowded.  Some  wept,  some 
laughed,  and  others  mocked ;  some  were  awakened 
and  came  to  me,  and  inquired  what  they  should 
do  to  be  saved.  I  told  them  to  look  to  Jesus, 
and  they  should  find  rest  to  their  souls. 

During  this  round  on  the  circuit,  twenty-four 
professed  sanctification,  and  how  many  more 
were  justified  I  know  not,  but  at  one  place 
(Mr.  Beam's)  they  informed  me  that  there  were 
twelve. 

I  left  Wilmington  and  went  to  Newcastle, 
crossed  the  Delaware,  and  so  returned  home, 
much  broken  down,  and  had  so  lost  my  voice 
that  the  friends  thought  I  would  never  be  able  to 
preach  any  more,  unless  it  were  to  whisper  a 
little;  hut  in  about  two  months  I  had  recovered 
my  speech  again  tolerably  well,  and  longed  to  be 
in  the  Lord's  vineyard  again. 

My  son  David  was  now  a  preacher,  and  riding 
on  Kent  circuit,  Maryland,  and  I  received  a  letter 
from  him,  requesting  me  to  come  and  take  his 
circuit,  while  he  came  home  to  see  his  mother, 


Preaches  in  the  woods. 


105 


brothers,  sisters,  and  friends.  I  got  myself 
ready,  and  crossed  the  Delaware  again  at  New- 
castle, and  went  to  the  head  of  Elk  to  S.  TVs 
and  preached,  and  I  charitably  hope  that  some 
good  seed  was  sown,  though  we  had  no  class 
there. 

I  went  on  to  my  next  appointment  at  one 
Simmons's,  where  I  preaehed  and  had  a  powerful 
time.  Some  were  awakened,  and  inquired  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved.  I  met  the  class,  and 
had  a  precious  time  amongst  the  little  few. 

Next  day,  at  my  appointment,  God  attended 
the  word  with  power:  many  felt  the  effects 
thereof,  and  many  wept,  both  white  and  black. 
After  dismissing  the  people,  we  had  a  powerful 
time  in  class,  many  fell  to  the  floor,  among  whom 
was  the  man  of  the  house,  several  professed 
sanctification,  and  others  to  be  justified.  Next 
day  being  the  Sabbath,  I  preached  there  again; 
in  the  morning  I  met  the  black  class  in  the  barn, 
many  fell  to  the  floor  like  dead  men,  while  others 
cried  aloud  for  mercy;  but  I  had  to  leave  them, 
as  it  was  time  to  attend  my  appointment. 

When  I  came  to  the  place,  it  was  computed 
that  there  were  above  one  thousand  people,  and  a 
clergyman  among  them.  I  preached  in  the  woods, 
and  the  Lord  preached  from  heaven  in  his  Spirit's 
power,  and  the  people  fell  on  the  right  and  on 
the  left.  I  saw  that  many  were  on  a  flutter  and 
ready  to  flee.  I  told  them  to  stand  still  and 
look  to  themselves,  for  God  Almighty  was  come 
into  the  camp.  They  kept  their  stations,  and 
did  not  flee.  I  continued  to  invite  them  to  fly  to 
Jesus,  the  ark  of  safety.  It  was  a  great  day  to 
many  souls. 

After  I  had  concluded,  a  gentleman  present 


106  Very  kindly  entertained. 


said  to  me,  "I  want  to  talk  with  you,  and  when 
you  pass  through  our  town,  I  request  you  to  call 
on  me."  Another  gentleman  present,  pointing 
to  the  former,  said,  "That  is  our  clergyman." 
I  told  him  I  would  endeavour  to  call  upon  him, 
but  at  present  must  hasten  to  my  afternoon  ap- 
pointment, leaving  the  slain  and  wounded  on  the 
field.  When  I  came  to  the  place,  I  found  a  large 
congregation  assembled.  Here  I  preached  with 
great  liberty,  and  many  fell  to  the  earth,  both 
white  and  black,  some  as  dead  men,  while  others 
were  screaming,  and  crying  to  God  for  mercy. 

After  preaching,  the  gentleman  who  had  showed 
me  their  clergyman,  invited  me  home  with  him. 
When  I  came  to  his  house,  such  attendance  I 
had  never  met  with,  for  as  soon  as  I  came  in,  he 
ordered  a  young  negro  to  pull  off  my  boots,  and 
to  put  me  on  a  pair  of  slippers.  I  told  the  lad  to 
let  me  pull  them  off  myself,  but  the  gentleman 
screamed  out  at  him,  because  he  did  not  seize 
hold  and  pull  them  off;  so  I  was  obliged  to  sub- 
mit. He  then  opened  a  large  library.  I  soon 
found  he  was  a  well-read  man,  but  had  no  know- 
ledge of  God.  He  told  me,  if  what  he  had  that 
day  heard  and  seen  was  religion,  he  must  confess 
he  knew  nothing  of  the  matter,  although  he  pro- 
fessed himself  a  good  churchman.  He  told  me 
that  their  minister  was  both  a  drunkard  and  a 
liar,  and  advised  me  not  to  go  near  him;  but  I 
told  him  that  I  had  promised  and  must  go,  or 
they  would  call  me  a  liar.  "Well,"  said  he,  "I 
will  go  with  you,  that  he  may  not  misrepresent 
you  when  you  are  gone." 

After  family  duty  I  went  to  bed;  I  observed  by 
my  head  a  pair  of  pistols,  which  I  did  not  desire 
so  near  me,  but  said  nothing.    Next  morning  w« 


A  strange  Dream. 


went  to  see  the  clergyman,  but  we  stopped  at  a 
friend's  house,  who  said  to  me,  "Tarry  here,  and 
I  will  go  and  bring  the  clergyman."  He  went, 
but  did  not  find  him.  We  then  went  on,  and 
crossed  the  river,  where  I  preached  to  a  small 
congregation.  Here  the  gentleman  and  I  parted  ; 
we  had  a  happy  time  in  class;  here  I  saw  what  I 
never  met  with  before:  twenty  women  in  class, 
and  but  one  man,  and  he  an  African. 

I  went  next  day  to  one  Howard's,  and  preached 
to  a  large  and  attentive  congregation;  had  an 
alarming  time;  they  heard  as  for  eternity;  the 
word  reached  many  hearts.  I  met  class,  and  had 
a  precious  time  in  pressing  holiness  of  heart  on 
them.  As  I  was  speaking,  one  woman  trembled 
and  fell  to  the  floor,  and  laid  still  for  some  time, 
and  when  she  came  to,  she  said  that  God  had 
sanctified  her  soul.  Then  told  her  dream  that 
she  had  the  night  before.  "I  dreamed,"  said 
she,  "that  I  saw  a  plain  old  man,  with  strings  in 
his  shoes;  and  I  saw  every  feature  in  his  face, 
and  he  reached  out  and  gave  me  a  clean  piece  of 
paper,  and  I  believe  it  represented  a  clean  heart, 
and  now  I  know  that  God  lias  sanctified  me." 

.Wxt  day,  I  proceeded  to  my  appointment  at 
Brother  H.'s,  had  a  crowded  house,  and  preached 
from  these  words:  "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
thee,  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see 
the  kingdom  of  God."  The  Lord  attended  the 
word  with  great  power;  the  people  fell,  screamed, 
screeched,  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  Here  I 
was  as  happy  as  I  could  live  in  the  body;  many 
were  awakened,  and  one  great  sinner  stood 
amazed,  and  struck  with  wonder  at  what  his 
eyes  saw.  After  preaching  I  met  the  class,  and 
had  a  most  powerful  time.    Some  lost  the  power 


108  A  strange  Apparition. 


of  their  bodies,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  Lord's 
camp. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment;  the  ru- 
mour of  the  work  of  the  Lord  caused  many  to 
attend  the  word.  Looking  round,  I  saw  the  big 
man  again,  he  being  of  an  uncommon  size.  In 
mine  application,  the  Lord  opened  the  windows 
of  heaven,  and  rained  down  righteousness  on  the 
people.  I  proceeded  to  meet  the  class,  but  the 
power  of  God  came  in  such  a  manner  that  it 
prevented  me.  We  had  a  shout  in  Israel's  camp; 
some  shouted  praises  to  God,  others  cried  aloud 
to  him  for  mercy,  many  lay  on  the  floor  as  dead 
men,  others  all  bathed  in  tears.  And  the  people 
shouted  with  a  loud  shout,  and  the  noise  was 
heard  afar  off.  Thus  our  meeting  continued  for 
the  space  of  three  hours  before  it  broke  up,  and 
I  found  the  big  man  on  his  knees  at  prayer. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Apparition — Thunder  storm — The  power  of  Ood  comes  down 
among  the  Black  people — Young  man  on  the  floor — Man 
said  to  be  dead— Local  Preacher  brought  down. 

Next  day  I  preached  to  a  small  congregation 
of  hard-hearted,  stiff-necked,  and  uncircumcised 
sinners,  and  felt  but  little  freedom  among  them. 
After  preaching,  met  the  little  class;  spake  freely 
to  them,  and  impressed  holiness  on  them  with  all 
my  powers,  but  found  them  rather  dead  and 
stupid. 

Here  I  met  with  a  man  that  gave  me  a  strange 
relation:  That  he  had  seen  a  spirit,  and  knowing 
it  to  be  his  mother,  he  was  much  surprised;  and 
the  told  him  he  must  meet  her  at  a  place  she 


A  Funeral  Sermon.  109 


named  to  him,  on  the  next  evening,  and  she 
would  discover  to  him  her  business;  he  asked 
her  if  he  might  bring  a  friend  or  two  with  him, 
she  said  he  might  bring  them  within  some  small 
distance  from  the  place  appointed ;  he  took  several 
with  him,  and  they  tarried  accordingly,  and  he 
went  forward  to  the  place  she  had  appointed,  and 
there  she  met  him  and  told  him  that  at  a  certain 
spring,  at  such  a  tree,  and  such  a  distance  from 
the  tree,  she  had  buried  half-a-dozen  plates  for 
him,  when  he  was  a  small  child.  When  she  had 
concluded,  she  vanished  out  of  his  sight,  and 
they  all  returned  to  the  house.  He  went  to  the 
place,  found  the  spring  and  the  tree,  and  soon 
found  the  plates;  he  took  them  up  and  brought 
them  home,  and  they  were  then  in  his  posses- 
sion. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  the  place  of  my  ap- 
pointment, where  I  found  many  hundreds  collect- 
ed, on  the  occasion  of  a  funeral  there  that  day. 
The  minister  who  preached  the  funeral  sermon, 
being  of  the  church  form,  went  through  the  cere- 
monies thereof,  and  then  preached  a  short,  easy, 
smooth,  soft  sermon,  which  amounted  to  almost 
nothing. 

By  this  time  a  gust  was  rising,  and  the  firma- 
ment was  covered  with  blackness;  two  clouds 
appeared  to  come  from  different  quarters  and  to 
meet  over  the  house,  which  caused  the  people  to 
crowd  into  the  house,  up  stairs  and  down,  to 
screen  themselves  from  the  storm.  When  the 
minister  had  done,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  say 
something  to  the  people.  I  arose,  and  with  some 
difficulty  got  on  one  of  the  benches,  the  house 
was  so  greatly  crowded  ;  and  almost  as  soon  as  I 
began,  the  Lord  out  of  heaven  began  also.  The 


no 


Awful  Thunder  Storm. 


tremendous  claps  of  thunder  exceeded  any  thing 
I  had  ever  heard;  and  the  streams  of  lightning 
flashed  through  the  house  in  a  most  awful  man- 
ner. It  shook  the  very  foundation  of  the  house; 
the  windows  jarred  with  the  violence  thereof.  I 
lost  no  time,  but  set  before  them  the  awful  coming 
of  Christ,  in  all  his  splendour,  with  all  the  armies 
of  heaven,  to  judge  the  world  and  to  take  ven- 
geance on  the  ungodly!  "It  may  be,"  cried  I, 
"that  he  will  descend  in  the  next  clap  of  thun- 
der." The  people  screamed,  screeched,  and  fell 
all  through  the  house.  The  lightning,  thunder, 
and  rain,  continued  for  about  the  space  of  one 
hour,  in  the  most  awful  manner  ever  known  in 
that  country;  during  which  time  I  continued  to  set 
before  the  people  the  coming  of  Christ  to  judge 
the  world,  warning  and  inviting  sinners  to  flee 
to  Christ.  One  old  sinner  made  an  attempt  to 
go,  but  he  had  not  gone  far  before  he  fell.  Some 
went  to  him,  and  put  him  into  a  carriage,  and 
took  him  home;  where,  as  I  was  informed,  he 
remained  three  days  and  three  nights,  and  neither 
eat  nor  drank.  When  the  storm  abated,  we  broke 
up  the  meeting.  Many  were  that  day  convinced, 
and  many  converted.* 

1  went  to  my  next  appointment,  preached  to 
the  people  with  some  feeling,  but  saw  little  pros- 
pect of  any  good  being  done. 

I  went  on  to  quarterly-meeting,  which  was  held 
in  Brother  Simmons's  barn,  where  I  met  Brother 


*  Fourteen  years  after,  when  I  rode  that  circuit,  I  con- 
versed with  twelve  living  witnesses,  who  told  me  they  were 
all  converted  at  that  storm,  and  also  of  divers  others,  who  had 
gone  from  time  to  eternity  during  my  absence  of  fourteen 
years,  and  of  several  who  had  moved  out  of  the  neighbour- 


The  Black  people  cry  for  mercy.        1 1 1 


Sterling,  from  New  Jersey,  whom  I  was  glad  to 
see.  We  had  a  large  congregation ;  one  of  our 
preachers  preached,  several  spoke  by  exhortation, 
and  we  had  a  good  time  on  Saturday. 

On  Sabbath  morning  we  had  a  love-feast;  the 
people  spoke  freely,  and  we  had  a  precious  time. 
After  love-feast  I  preached,  and  God  attended 
the  word  with  power;  many  cried  aloud,  and 
some  fell  to  the  floor.  After  I  concluded,  Brother 
Ivy  gave  an  exhortation,  and  spoke  very  power- 
fully; many  wept  under  his  exhortation;  and  after 
him,  several  others  gave  exhortations.  A  number 
were  converted,  and  some  were  sanctified,  but 
how  inany  I  never  knew. 

Here  my  kind  friend,  Mr.  K.  invited  me  to  his 
house,  and  told  me  to  bring  my  friends  with  me; 
accordingly,  I  took  Brother  Sterling,  and  went 
home  with  him.  Here,  I  thank  God,  I  was  at 
no  loss.  Brother  S.  returned  the  compliment, 
with  which  he  congratulated  us  on  our  arrival,  as 
became  the  christian  and  the  gentleman.  We 
soon  fell  into  conversation  on  the  things  of  God. 
At  the  time  of  family  worship,  abundance  of 
black  people  assembled  in  the  kitchen,  and  the 
door  was  set  open,  that  they  might  hear  without 
coming  into  the  parlour.  I  gave  out  a  hymn, 
Brother  Sterling  went  to  prayer,  and  after  him 
myself.  The  power  of  the  Lord  came  down  in  a 
wonderful  manner  among  the  black  people;  some 
cried  aloud,  and  others  fell  to  the  floor,  some 
praising  God,  and  some  crying  for  mercy.  After 
we  had  concluded,  Brother  S.  went  among  them, 
where  he  continued  upwards  of  one  hour,  ex- 
horting them  to  fly  to  Jesus,  the  ark  of  safety. 

Next  day  we  set  our  faces  homewards,  and  ar- 
rived at  Newcastle,  and  preached  in  the  evening 


112      He  preaches  with  life  and  power. 

at  Brother  F.'s  to  a  hard-hearted,  disobedient 
people;  but  I  endeavoured  to  declare  to  them  the 
terrors  of  the  law,  and  the  promises  of  the 
gospel. 

Next  day  I  crossed  the  river  and  returned 
home,  where  I  found  my  family  well;  for  which 
and  every  other  mercy,  I  desire  to  be  ever  truly 
thankful  to  the  Great  Author  of  all  good,  who 
has  brought  me  again  in  safety  to  my  habitation 
in  peace,  and  has  attended  his  unworthy  dust, 
when  absent  in  his  service,  with  his  Spirit's 
power;  for  which  my  soul  adores  the  God  and 
Rock  of  my  salvation. 

Some  time  after  this,  my  son  David  was  riding 
in  the  Delaware  State,  on  the  Dover  Circuit,  and 
I  crossed  the  Delaware  River,  in  order  to  meet 
him  at  J.  S.'s;  but  being  a  day  too  late,  he  had 
departed  very  sorrowful,  concluding  that  I  was  , 
sick,  as  he  had  written,  requesting  me  to  meet  j 
him  there.    However,  I  pushed  after  him,  and 
overtook  him  at  Duck  -  Creek,   Cross  -  Roads, 
preaching  to  a  large  congregation  in  an  orchard; 
but  coming  behind  him  he  saw  nothing  of  me 
until  lie  concluded,  and  as  soon  as  he  stepped  off  i 
the  stand,  I  stepped  on  and  gave  an  exhortation,  | 
and  instantly  God  attended  the  truth  with  power,  , 
the  people  cried  aloud,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  t 
camp;  but  as  it  was  likely  to  interfere  with  our  I 
next  appointment,  I  dismissed  the  people  and 
went  to  Blackston's  meeting-house,  where  the  c 
people  expected  me,  and  a  large  multitude  was 
assembled.    I  preached  with  life  and  power,  and  j 
the  Lord  attended  the  word;  many  wept,  and  I  i 
trust  some  good  was  done. 

1  went  home  with  friend  Blackston.    In  the 
evening,  met  class  and  gave  an  exhortation,  and  - 

i- 


The  Master  of  Assemblies. 


113 


endeavoured  to  shew  the  nature  and  necessity  of 
.  perfection,  or  holiness  of  heart,  and  pressed  it 
home  upon  them  with  all  the  ability  that  God 
gave  me.  While  speaking  to  the  society,  one 
cried  out,  then  another,  and  the  cry  became  gene- 
ral, and  there  was  such  a  weeping,  crying,  and 
shouting,  that  I  could  not  speak  to  any  more. 
One  young  woman  cried  out,  that  she  was  not  an 
angel,  but  she  knew  that  God  had  given  her  a 
clean  heart,  and  had  sanctified  her  soul.  A  young 
man  ran  to  me,  and  clasped  me  about  the  neck 
and  said,  "  I  am  a  Baptist,  but  I  know  the  Lord 
is  here,  I  feel  his  Spirit."  This  continued  for 
some  time,  and  I  said,  "There  is  no  occasion  for 
me  to  say  any  thing  more,  for  the  Master  of  As- 
semblies has  met  you  himself,  and  has  spoken  to 
every  heart."  Here  I  was  as  happy  myself,  as  I 
knew  how  to  continue  in  the  body. 

Next  day,  my  son  returned  home  to  see  his 
friends,  and  I  went  on  the  circuit  in  his  room. 
At  the  next  appointment  I  preached,  and  the  Lord 
manifested  his  power  and  presence  amongst  us. 
One  sinner  fell  to  the  floor,  and  cried  mightily  to 
God  to  have  mercy  on  his  soul.    I  went  on,  and 
when  I  came  to  the  application,  I  exhorted  them 
i    to  fly  to  Christ.    "Here,"  said  I,  "yon  see  the 
t    power  of  God,  and  Christ  is  exalted  on  his  throne ; 
I    why  will  you  die,  and  sell  your  souls  to  the 
!    devil?"    I  desired  the  christians  to  withdraw  out 
i    of  the  room,  and  let  sinners  come  and  see  for 
i    themselves;  they  did  so,  and  when  they  came  in, 
I    I  said,  "Here  you  see  the  power  of  God  on  this 
young  man  (he  was  then  almost  exhausted,  lying 
t    on  the  floor);  if  this  be  of  hell,  as  some  of  you 
i    may  think  it  is,  when  he  comes  to,  he  will  curse 
and  swear,  but  if  it  be  of  God  he  will  praise  him." 

H 


114 


They  threaten  to  kilt  him. 


When  he  revived  again,  he  began  to  praise  God 
for  what  he  had  done  for  his  soul,  and  told  them 
that  God  had  forgiven  his  sins,  and  exhorted 
them  to  seek  the  Lord.  "Hark,"  said  I,  "this 
is  not  the  language  of  hell,  hut  of  Canaan;  a  Ian- 
guage  that  has  gone  through  your  land,  and  you 
do  not  understand  it." 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  where  I 
was  informed  the  children  of  the  devil  were 
greatly  offended,  and  intended  that  day  to  kill 
me.  Here  I  had  a  crowded  congregation.  I 
preached,  and  God  attended  the  word  with 
power ;  several  made  an  attempt  to  go  out,  but 
the  crowd  was  so  great  about  the  door,  they  were 
obliged  to  stay.  They  began  quickly  to  fall  to 
the  floor,  and  to  cry  aloud,  so  that  we  had  soon  a 
proper  shout  in  the  camp.  The  Lord  was  very 
powerful ;  one  young  man  was  struck  to  the 
floor,  and  many  said  he  was  dead :  but  I  told 
them  he  was  not  dead.  1  told  them  to  take  him 
up  and  lay  him  on  a  bed,  where  he  lay  about 
three  hours,  and  many  continued  to  say  he  was 
dead. 

I  now  began  to  be  greatly  exercised,  it  being 
the  first  time  I  ever  had  felt  any  fears,  lest  any 
one  should  expire  under  the  mighty  power  of 
God.  He  lay  in  so  dead  a  slate,  and  continued  so 
long,  that  his  flesh  grew  cold,  and  his  blood  was 
stagnated  to  his  elbows  ;  his  fingers  were  spread, 
and  about  half  shut,  and  in  so  stiff  a  condition, 
that  they  could  not  be  straightened.  Very  great 
and  various  were  my  exercises  during  this  period. 
I  concluded  to  go  home,  and  not  proceed  one  step 
further,  for  killing  people  would  not  answer;  but 
at  last  he  came  to,  and  as  soon  as  he  could  speak, 
he  began  to  praise  God  for  what  he  had  done  for 


Meets  with  two  young  Nicholiles.  115 

his  soul.  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is 
marvellous  in  our  eyes. 

Next  day,  I  went  to  my  other  appointment, 
and  preached  in  a  harn  to  a  large  congregation, 
and  spoke  with  freedom ;  many  wept.  Here  I 
met  two  young  Nicholites,  who  came  and  spoke 
fieely  to  me  concerning  spiiitual  things.  I  be- 
lieve  they  were  both  christians.  One  of  them 
followed  me  three  days,  and  departed  in  great 
love  and  tenderness. 

My  next  appointment  was  at  a  local  preacher's 
house;  he  having  heard  what  was  going  on,  be- 
gan to  tell  me  he  looked  upon  it  as  all  confusion, 
for  that  God  was  a  God  of  order.  I  told  him  he 
might  rest  assured  that  it  was  the  power  of  God: 
however,  the  people  gathered,  and  I  preached. 
The  power  of  God  seized  a  woman  sitting  before 
me,  suckling  her  child  ;  she  began  to  tremble,  and 
fell  back  on  the  floor.  After  she  came  to,  she 
sprang  up,  clapping  her  hands,  and  crying  aloud, 
"Tell  the  sinners  it  is  the  work  of  the  Lord  !" 
This  alarmed  the  town,  and  brought  many  peo- 
ple together,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Eternal  God 
laid  hold  of  several  of  them :  many  wept.  I  had 
not  spoken  long,  before  the  slain  and  wounded 
lay  all  through  the  house,  and  among  the  rest  the 
local  preacher.  Some  crying  for  mercy,  and 
others  praising  God  for  what  he  had  done  for 
their  souls,  testifying  that  he  had  justified  them, 
and  set  their  souls  at  liberty;  and  one  professed 
sanctiflcation.  I  desired  the  class  to  stop,  and  1 
spoke  first  to  the  local  preacher.  "What  do  you 
think  of  it  now,  my  brother,  is  it  the  work  of 
Godornot?"  "0,"said  he,  "  I  never  thought  thai 
God  would  pour  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner, 
for  I  could  not  move  hand  or  foot  anv  more  than 
B  2 


116  A  Predeslinarian  woman. 


if  I  had  been  dead ;  but  I  am  as  happy  as  I  can 
live."  We  had  a  precious  time  among  God's 
people.    Here  I  found  many  precious  souls. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  devil  comes  into  the  camp — He  meets  with  Bishop 
Asbury — Returns  home — His  Wife  dies. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Brother  Cole's,  preached, 
and  had  a  precious  time.  Here  I  found  a  lively 
class.  A  predestinarian  woman  staid  in  class; 
when  I  spoke  to  her,  she  began  to  dispute  about 
principles.  I  endeavoured  to  shew  her  that 
Christ  died  for  all,  and  not  for  a  few  only,  ac- 
cording to  her  notion.  She  got  convinced,  and 
joined  society.  I  spent  the  evening  in  conversing 
on  the  things  of  God. 

Next  morning,  being  the  Lord's-day,  I  went  to 
the  preaching-house,  where  I  found  many  hun- 
dreds gathered.  It  was  supposed  che  house,  al- 
though large,  did  not  contain  half  the  people. 
I  preached  with  great  freedom,  and  was  not  at  a 
loss  for  matter.  Many  wept,  but  I  cannot  say 
much  good  was  done.  I  spent  the  evening  at 
Brother  Cole's,  in  conversing  on  the  things  of 
God,  and  what  he  was  doing  through  the  land. 

I  went  from  hence  to  Brother  E.'s,  and 
poached  in  a  barn  to  a  large  congregation  ;  here 
the  work  of  the  Lord  broke  out  with  power, 
many  cried  aloud  for  mercy,  others  were  rejoicing 
in  God  their  Saviour.  Here  I  met  with  C.  R.  a 
pious  young  woman,  who  professed  sanctification, 
and  her  life  corresponded  therewith. 

At  my  next  appointment,  I  preached  to  a 
large  congregation  in  the  woods,  and  was  in- 


One  of  Ihe  Devil's  agents. 


117 


formed  that  I  was  to  be  attacked  by  the  clerk  of 
the  church,  who  had  attacked  some  of  our 
preachers.  The  power  of  God  attended  the  word, 
and  the  clerk  sat  with  his  spectacles  wrong  side 
up,  twisting  and  wringing  his  mouth,  and  pulling 
and  tugging  those  near  him,  until  they  grew 
ashamed  of  him,  and  moved.  I  fixed  my  eyes  on 
him,  seeing  his  behaviour,  and  cried  as  loud  as  I 
was  able,  "The  devil  is  come  into  the  camp! 
Help,  men  of  Israel  !  Every  man  and  woman 
to  prayer  !  Cry  mightily  to  God  that  the  power 
of  hell  may  be  shaken  and  suffer  loss."  In  an 
instant  we  had  the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp, 
the  clerk  took  off  his  spectacles,  hung  his  head, 
and  did  not  raise  it  again  until  I  had  done. 

When  service  was  over,  many  came  and  asked 
me  if  I  did  not  see  the  devil  bodily,  1  told  them 
no,  I  only  saw  one  of  his  agents  acting  for  him. 
Several  broken-hearted  sinners  flocked  round  me, 
I  requested  them  to  go  to  the  house  where  I  was 
to  meet  class.  We  had  the  house  so  full,  I  con- 
cluded only  to  sing  and  pray,  and  give  an  exhor- 
tation. I  enforced  the  necessity  of  sanctification, 
and  told  them  what  God  was  doing  on  the  circuit. 
Brother  E.  was  soon  on  the  floor,  and  quickly 
another  fell,  and  soon  there  were  four  down.  In 
the  mean  time,  I  did  not  forget  sinners,  and  they 
began  to  fall ;  six  or  seven  were  soon  down. 
Here  C.  R.  the  pious  young  woman  before  men- 
tioned, helped  me  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  The 
meeting  lasted  near  or  quite  two  hours. 

Next  day,  I  met  Brother  Asbury,  at  Brother 
T.  White's,  on  my  way  to  quarterly-meeting, 
and  about  twenty  other  preachers.  Sister  White, 
I  believe,  is  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there 
is  no  guile.     Brother  Asbury  asked  me  what 


118 


The  Black  Coats  scare  him. 


news  from  the  sea  coast  ?  "  Why,"  said  one  of 
the  preachers,  "he  can  tell  you  nothing."  "Yes, 
yes,"  said  Brother  Asbury,  "  he  can  tell  us  some- 
thing." I  then  related  how  God  was  carrying  on 
his  work,  and  they  were  amazed. 

Brother  Asbury  called  me  up  stairs,  and  told 
me  I  must  preach  that  evening.  I  told  him  I 
could  not,  as  they  were  all  preachers.  "  Well," 
said  he,  "you  must  exhort  after  me."  I  said, 
"  Perhaps  I  may."  We  went  down  and  he 
preached,  and  after  he  had  done  I  arose,  and  as 
they  were  mostly  preachers,  I  concluded  only  to 
tell  my  experience,  and  so  related  my  conviction 
and  conversion,  and  exhorted  them  all  to  holiness 
of  heart,  and  so  concluded.  In  the  morning 
Brother  A.  stroked  down  my  head  and  said, 
"Brother  Abbott,  the  black  coats  scared  you  last 
night;"  to  which  I  replied,  "What  could  I  say, 
they  were  nearly  all  preachers." 

We  set  out  for  quarterly-meeting,  Sister  White 
came  to  me,  as  I  was  upon  horseback,  took  me 
by  the  hand,  exhorting  me  for  some  time.  I  felt 
very  happy  under  her  wholesome  admonitions. 
Towards  evening,  not  far  from  the  place,  we 
stopped  at  a  door,  and  Brother  A.  said  to  the  man 
of  the  house,  "You  must  send  out  and  gather 
your  neighbours;"  and  turning  to  me  said,  "You 
must  preach  here  to-night."  At  candle-light  we 
had  a  large  congregation.  I  preached.  Some 
wept,  some  sighed,  and  others  groaned,  but  I  can- 
not say  much  good  was  done:  however,  I  hope  it 
was  not  altogether  labour  lost. 

Next  morning  we  went  to  quarterly-meeting 
at  Barret's  chapel.  Here  we  had  a  large  congre- 
gation, to  whom  Brother  Asbury  preached,  and 
afterwards  he  called  on  me  to  give  an  exhorta- 


God  lays  to  his  helping  hand. 


II!) 


tion.  Some  of  the  preachers  wondered  where  he 
had  gathered  up  that  old  fellow.  I  sang,  prayed, 
and  began  to  exhort,  ar.d  God  laid  to  his  helping 
hand,  and  came  down  in  his  Spirit's  power  as  in 
ancient  days;  some  fell  to  the  floor,  others  ran 
out  of  the  house,  many  cried  aloud  for  mercy, 
and  others  were  shouting  praises  to  the  (rod  of 
Hosts,  with  hearts  full  of  love  divine.  Seeing 
the  people  sitting  on  the  joists  up-stairs,  I  was 
afraid  they  would  fall  through;  this  caused  me  to 
withhold.  I  quitted  the  pulpit,  and  there  was 
an  exhortation  or  two  given,  and  the  meeting 
broke  up.  After  meeting,  Brother  Asbury  said, 
"Brother  Abbott,  you  must  go  home  with  such 
a  gentleman;"  and  then  went  to  the  gentleman 
and  brought  him  to  me,  and  I  went  with  him. 
After  dinner  I  conversed  with  divers  Christian 
friends,  of  the  dealings  of  God  with  his  people, 
and  what  he  was  doing  through  our  land.  In 
the  evening  I  asked  if  any  of  them  could  sing, 

"  Still  out  of  the  deepest  abyss 

Of  trouble  I  mournfully  cry ; 
I  pine  to  rec  over  my  peace, 

To  see  my  Redeemer  and  die.** 

A  gentleman  from  Dorchester  answered  he  could, 
and  they  sang  it  with  such  melodious  voices,  and 
with  the  Spirit,  that  it  was  attended  with  great 
power.  The  gentleman's  lady  and  two  others 
fell  to  the  floor.  When  done  singing,  we  kneeled 
down  to  pray,  and  several  fell.  The  man  of  the 
house,  who  had  been  a  backslider,  got  restored. 
Many  prayers  were  sent  up  to  God,  both  by 
men  and  women.  Our  meeting  continued  three 
hours. 

Next  morning  our  love-feast  began  at  sunrise. 
I  just  made  out  to  get  there  as  the  doors  were 


120    Brother  Asbury  opens  the  Love-feast. 

shut.  The  crowd  was  so  great  that  we  could  not 
get  round  with  the  bread  and  water  as  usual. 
It  was  supposed,  that  as  many  were  outside  as 
were  in  the  house.  After  singing  and  prayer, 
Brother  Asbury  opened  the  love-feast,  and  bade 
the  people  to  speak.  Many  spoke  very  power- 
fully; several  exhortations  were  given  at  intervals 
by  the  preachers:  we  had  a  precious  time.  The 
house  being  opened,  one  of  the  preachers  preached, 
and  several  spoke  by  way  of  exhortation,  which 
was  attended  with  great  power,  and  we  had  a 
peaceable  waiting  before  the  Lord.  After  this 
meeting  I  returned  home  again,  where  I  arrived  in 
safety  and  peace,  thanks  be  to  God  for  the  same. 

My  wife  had  been  in  a  poor  state  of  health  for 
about  seven  years.  About  six  weeks  before  her 
death,  she  told  me  that  God  would  remove  one  of 
as;  "And  I  believe,"  said  she,  "that  yon  ought 
to  be  in  his  vineyard,  and  if  I  am  the  cross,  I 
shall  be  removed  from  you."  About  the  same 
time,  she  besought  God  to  deliver  her  from  her 
affliction  of  body  that  she  had  so  long  laboured 
under;  and  in  one  moment  she  was  restored  to 
as  perfect  health  as  ever  she  had  enjoyed  in  all 
her  life,  and  continued  so  till  the  day  of  her  death, 
which  was  about  six  weeks  after. 

On  the  day  on  which  she  died,  she  had  been  to 
market,  and  returned  home  in  the  evening. 
When  I  came  into  the  house,  we  had  some  con- 
versation, and  soon  after  she  said,  "I  feel  very 
strange;  send  for  Brother  Bilderback  to  bleed 
me,  for  I  believe  I  am  going  to  have  a  fit  of  the 
cholic."  He  came  and  made  several  attempts  to 
let  blood,  but  found  it  so  stagnated  that  it  would 
not  run.  My  daughter  Hannah  stepped  to  her, 
and  said,  "Mamma,  you  are  dying."    She  ira- 


His  Wife  dies. 


121 


mediately  besought  God  in  prayer,  that  he  would 
receive  her  soul  when  it  should  take  its  flight 
from  time  to  eternity.  After  she  had  done,  I 
kneeled  down  and  prayed  to  God  that  she  might 
have  an  easy  passage.  She  continued  clapping 
her  hands  all  the  time  I  was  at  prayer,  although 
she  had  the  rattles  of  death  on  her.  I  asked  if 
she  saw  heaven  sweetly  opened  before  her.  She 
was  speechless,  but  made  three  nods  with  her 
head,  and  her  soul  took  its  flight,  without  either 
sigh,  groan,  or  throb. 

1  felt  a  perfect  resignation  to  the  will  of  God, 
so  that  I  could  truly  say  the  Lord's  prayer, 
"Thy  will  be  done."  Neither  did  I  feel  a  spirit 
of  mourning  as  the  world  feels,  for  I  was  sensible 
my  loss  was  her  eternal  gain,  which  was  to  me  a 
consolation.  The  manner  of  her  life,  from  the 
time  she  became  a  christian,  was  exemplary.  She 
set  apart  three  times  a  day  for  private  prayer, 
and  I  never  knew  her  to  omit  it.  And  when  I 
was  absent,  she  always  kept  up  family  prayer. 
She  departed  this  life  on  the  14th  of  July,  1788. 

I,ord,  she  was  thine  and  not  my  own, 

Thou  hast  not  done  me  wrong  ; 
I  thank  Thee  for  the  precious  loan 

Afforded  me  so  long.  Xrwlon. 


122 


THE   EXPERIENCE,  &c. 


PART  SECOND. 

Containing  his  Travels  and  Gospel  Labours,  after  he  entered 
the  Methodist  Itinerant  Connexion,  in  April  1789,  until 
about  May  1795. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Commences  Itinerant  —  Dutches  Circuit  —  Prayer  seventh 
time — Some  sanctified — Two  men  exhort  —  Disputes  — 
Young  man  lost  —  Work  increases. 

In  the  forepart  of  the  year  1789,  I  found  it  my 
duty  to  lahour  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  as  a  travel- 
ling preacher,  having  heretofore  considered  my. 
self  only  as  a  local  preacher.  I  therefore  arranged 
and  settled  my  temporal  affairs,  and  in  April  1789, 
went  to  the  conference  held  at  Trenton,  for  the 
district  of  New  Jersey,  where  I  was  received  on 
trial  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  agreeably  to  the 
discipline  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  was  appointed  to  Dutches  circuit,  State  of 
New  York. 

Accordingly  I  took  my  station.  I  found  the 
circuit  was  new,  and  but  few  converted  souls  in  it. 
I  rode  round,  and  strove  to  regulate  the  classes, 
and  my  mind  was  much  drawn  out  to  preach 
up  sanctification  to  the  people;  but  I  consulted 
our  presiding  elder,  Brother  Garretson,  on  the 
occasion,  and  he  told  me  it  was  not  worth  while 
to  preach  sanctification  to  unjustified  souls.  But 
at  a  certain  place,  finding  six  believers  in  one 


Prayer  the  Seventh  time.  123 


class,  I  thought  proper  that  day  to  preach  sancti- 
fication.  After  1  had  done,  a  man  and  woman 
told  me  if  there  was  such  a  blessing  to  be  attain- 
ed, they  were  determined  to  seek  it.  I  told  them 
God  would  as  surely  sanctify  them  as  that  they 
had  souls,  if  they  would  seek  and  contend  for 
the  blessing. 

One  morning  the  woman  went  six  times  behind 
a  rock  and  prayed,  still  without  receiving  the 
blessing;  she  went  again  the  seventh  time,  and 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  so  upon  her,  that 
she  fell  to  the  ground,  and  the  Lord  took  away 
the  heart  of  stone  and  gave  her  a  heart  of  flesh, 
and  sprinkled  her  as  with  clean  water,  and  gave 
her  an  evidence  that  he  had  sanctified  her  soul. 
She  then  went  to  one  of  the  near  neighbours,  and 
the  same  power  came  upon  her  there  that  had 
done  behind  the  rock,  and  they  all  received  a 
blessing,  and  had  a  shout  among  them. 

The  man  likewise,  being  engaged  for  sanctifi- 
cation,  retired  one  evening  to  a  little  mount  be- 
fore his  door,  where  he  was  in  great  agony,  and 
thought  he  saw  the  devil  stand  just  before  him 
on  the  mount;  he  arose  from  his  knees  to  go  to 
the  house,  but  on  his  way  determined  that  he 
would  not  be  beat  off  by  the  devil,  and  ac- 
cordingly returned  again  to  the  mount,  where  he 
wrestled  with  God  in  prayer,  until  the  devil 
gave  way:  he  then  fell  before  God,  but  how  long 
he  lay  he  could  not  tell;  but  when  he  came  to  he 
knew  that  God  had  sanctified  his  soul. 

When  I  went  to  my  next  appointment  and 
preached,  I  saw  some  little  signs  of  good,  but  not 
much.  I  met  the  class  and  found  but  few  if  any, 
that  knew  the  pardoning  love  of  God. 

Next  day  I  went  to  a  place  called  Dover,  and 


124  An  old  man  exhorts. 


preached  in  the  church:  here  I  saw  but  little 
effects;  I  went  home  with  Brother  W.  and  met 
class.  Here  were  some  precious  souls,  who  had  a 
peaceable  waiting  before  God. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Sherron,  and  preached  to 
so  large  a  congregation,  that  I  had  to  stand  out 
of  the  door.  The  people  were  Presbyterians, 
and  knew  but  little  about  Methodism.  Here 
God  attended  the  word  with  power  and  authority, 
so  that  many  wept,  and  some  cried  aloud.  Soon 
as  I  concluded,  up  rose  an  old  man  and  began  to 
exhort  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  desiring  the  people 
to  believe,  adding,  "It  is  the  true  gospel  that  you 
have  heard  this  day."  After  him  arose  another, 
weeping  and  exhorting  the  people  to  believe,  for 
these  were  the  truths  of  God.  I  then  dismissed 
the  people,  and  returned  to  the  house,  and  about 
twenty  followed  me,  inquiring  what  they  must  do 
to  be  saved.  I  exhorted  them  to  fly  to  Jesus, 
the  ark  of  true  safety. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment  and 
preached,  and  saw  but  little  fruit:  a  few  wept. 
The  people  here  were  chiefly  Presbyterians,  Bap- 
tists, and  Congregationalists.  I  met  the  class, 
and  found  the  woman  of  the  house  an  old  Is- 
raelite. 

Next  day  I  preached  to  a  small  congregation; 
the  Lord  attended  the  word  with  power,  and 
seven  joined  society. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  where  I 
found  a  congregational  minister,  and  the  greater 
part  of  his  hearers.  I  preached  with  great  liberty 
and  care.  After  dismissing  the  people,  a  dispute 
quickly  arose,  and  a  number,  both  men  and 
women,  contended  warmly  with  me,  without  the 
least  regard  to  order.    I  was  obliged  to  request 


Attacked  by  a  Baptist.  12o 


them  to  speak  one  at  a  time.  Our  dispute  con- 
tinued a  long  time. 

Next  day  I  went  on  to  my  appointment,  and 
preached :  here  some  wept.  I  met  the  little 
class,  and  found  they  had  obtained  peace. 

After  I  had  dismissed  the  class,  I  was  attacked 
by  a  Baptist,  who  said,  "If  any  man  say  he  hath 
no  sin,  he  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  hini." 
I  replied,  "My  brother,  do  you  live  in  sin?" 
"Yes,"  said  he,  "every  day."  "Then,"  said  I, 
"I  will  prove  you,  by  the  word  of  God,  to  be  a 
child  of  the  devil,  and  an  heir  of  damnation :  for 
St.  John  tells  us,  1  He  that  committeth  sin  is  of 
the  devil ;  for  this  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was 
manifested,  that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of 
the  devil;  whosoever  is  born  of  God,  doth  sot 
commit  sin.'  1  John  iii.  8,  9.  Now,  either  St.  John 
or  you  is  mistaken;  and  I  desire  to  know  where 
you  keep  this  devil  that  sins  in  you,  whether  in 
your  heart,  flesh,  or  head,  or  where  he  is ;  for 
Christ  and  Belial  can  have  no  concord  together  ? 
This  body,  or  this  flesh,  cannot  commit  sin  with- 
out the  assent  of  the  will,  which  is  the  spring  of 
action,  and  one  of  the  noblest  faculties  of  the 
soul.  Try  the  experiment :  put  your  hand  to 
your  head,  or  rise  out  of  your  chair  without  the 
assent  of  your  will."  He  being  confounded,  and 
several  beginning  to  laugh,  arose,  and  appeared 
very  angry,  and  so  withdrew. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I 
preached;  some  wept,  and  some  sighed.  I  met 
the  class,  and  had  a  melting  time. 

At  my  next  appointment  I  preached,  and  the 
Lord  attended  the  word  with  power.  Some  were 
cut  to  the  heart,  and  cried  aloud  to  God  for  mer- 
cy, and  wc  had  the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp. 


126  Two  Stveariny  young  men. 


I  met  the  class,  and  two  young  men  joined  society, 
who  had  been,  a  few  days  before,  trying  which 
could  swear  the  most  profane  oath.  Now  they 
both  professed  faith  in  Christ;  upon  which,  the 
father  of  one  of  them  sent  him  to  their  minister 
to  learn  their  articles  of  faith,  &c.  He  staid  four 
weeks,  and  by  that  time  lost  all  desire  for  salva- 
tion, and  could  curse  and  swear  as  fast  as  ever, 
for  said  he,  "  If  I  am  to  be  saved  I  shall  be  saved, 
and  if  I  am  to  be  damned,  it  matters  not  whether 
I  swear  or  pray."  I  then  turned  him  out  of 
class. 

At  my  next  appointment,  the  people  were  chiefly 
Dutch.  I  preached  to  them,  and  God  attended 
the  word  with  power;  many  wept,  and  God  was 
with  us  of  a  truth;  two  young  men  were  cut  to 
the  heart,  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  When  the 
meeting  was  over,  I  asked  them  to  stay  to  class; 
they  did  so,  and  declared  that  God  had  broken 
into  their  souls  and,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  tilled 
them  with  such  joy  and  peace  as  they  never  had 
felt  before.  And  likewise,  an  elderly  woman  and 
her  two  daughters  found  peace. 

I  went  on  to  my  next  appointment,  and  God 
attended  the  word  with  power;  many  wept,  and 
one  Baptist  woman,  that  had  fallen  from  grace, 
was  restored  to  the  love  of  God  again:  I  met  the 
class,  and  invited  her  in;  after  speaking  to  the 
members,  I  spoke  to  her.  "Now,"  said  I,  "God 
has  showed  you  the  absurdity  of  your  principles;" 
she  replied,  "  1  renounce  them  all,  and  if  you  are 
willing  to  receive  me,  I  wish  to  join  your  society." 
I  then  asked  the  class  if  they  were  willing  to 
receive  her;  they  said  they  were,  so  I  admitted 
her  into  society. 

I  preached  in  Baston  Row's  barn,  from  thebe 


Three  Negroes  find  the  Lord.  127 


words,  "Not  everyone  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord. 
Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 
but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is 
in  heaven."  Matt.  vii.  21.  Here  the  Lord  mani- 
fested his  power  amongst  us;  J.  R.  being  awa- 
kened, desired  preaching  might  be  at  his  house; 
accordingly  I  went  there,  and  preached  to  a  large 
congregation,  and  God  attended  the  word  with 
power;  one  young  woman  fell  to  the  floor,  and 
when  she  arose,  she  bore  a  living  testimony  that 
God,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  forgiven  her  sins,  and 
said,  there  was  not  a  greater  sinner  in  the  barn 
than  she  had  been.  Many  wept,  and  among  the 
rest,  an  old  Quaker  woman  and  her  daughter, 
who  went  home  bathed  in  tears.  Some  days  after, 
she  told  her  sister  what  a  strange  old  man  she 
had  seen  and  heard,  and  that  she  never  had  such 
feelings  before  in  all  her  life;  for  she  had  cried 
all  the  next  day  and  could  not  help  it.  "But," 
said  she,  "  I  never  will  go  to  hear  him  any  more." 

John  Row,  his  wife  and  daughter,  his  brother 
and  his  wife,  and  his  three  negroes,  all  found  the 
Lord.  This  day  my  soul  was  on  the  wing,  and 
I  formed  a  class,  who  were  mostly  Germans. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Great  work — Minister  living  in  sin— A  young  woman  ex- 
horts—Extracts from  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal—  Shout  con- 
tinued for  three  or  four  hours —  An  angel. 

Next  day,  on  my  way  to  my  appointment,  I  met 
with  Brother  Garretson,  and  went  to  Mr.  Sands's 
and  dined:  after  I  had  been  some  time  in  the 
house  discoursing  with  the  people,  the  Spirit  of 
God  came  upon  me,  and  I  asked  them  if  I  might 


128         He  disputes  with  a  Minister. 

go  to  prayer,  which  was  granted ;  and  while  I 
was  at  prayer  their  eldest  daughter  cried  out,  and 
an  awfulness  rested  on  her  father  and  mother. 
After  prayer  I  was  about  to  set  off,  but  Mr.  Sands 
said,  "Stop  awhile  and  I  will  go  with  you:"  I  did 
so,  and  he  went.  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  mani- 
fested his  presence  amongst  us ;  one  German  wo- 
man cried  aloud,  and  more  were  melted  into  tears. 
Their  minister,  who  was  a  Presbyterian,  was 
there,  and  looked  very  wild,  but  said  nothing. 

After  I  got  to  Mr.  Sands's,  the  woman  before- 
mentioned,  sent  for  me ;  Mr.  Sands  went  with 
me,  and  when  we  got  there,  we  found  the  minis- 
ter and  several  others,  who  had  all  arrived  before 
us.  I  asked  the  woman  for  what  intent  she  had 
sent  for  me,  she  answered,  that  she  had  been 
powerfully  wrought  upon  under  preaching,  and 
that  she  was  a  sinner  and  an  undone  creature 
without  Christ,  I  endeavoured  to  apply  the  pro- 
mises, and  told  her  she  had  nowhere  to  fly  for 
safety,  only  to  Christ;  and  I  asked  the  minister 
if  it  were  not  so;  he  replied,  it  was  :  I  then  went 
on  to  urge  obedience,  and  the  means  of  grace, 
and  again  asked  him  if  it  were  not  so  :  he  replied, 
"Yes,  but  there  is  no  living  here  without  sin." 
I  did  not  like  to  fight,  but  being  challenged,  I 
could  not  avoid  it.  I  then  asked  him  if  he 
was  a  minister  of  Christ;  he  replied,  he  was. 
"What,"  said  I,  "a  minister,  and  live  in  sin !" 
"Yes,"  said  he.  I  then  quoted  1  John  iii.  8,  9, 
and  many  other  passages,  and  asked  him  what  he 
did  with  his  sins;  he  replied,  that  he  set  them 
all  down  to  Christ's  account.  I  then  quoted  a 
variety  of  other  texts;  but  he  replied,  "I  cannot 
English  them,  and  therefore  cannot  dispute  with 
you."    "Then,"  said  I,  "let  us  pray."    I  first 


Several  find  peace. 


129 


besought  God  to  deliver  the  woman,  and  then 
the  family  and  minister. 

I  bade  them  farewell,  and  went  to  my  friend 
Sands's,  who  desired  me  to  make  his  house  my 
home  while  I  staid  in  that  quarter.  I  spent  the 
evening  in  conversing  on  the  things  of  God,  and 
what  I  had  seen  of  his  power  :  they  were  in  tears 
all  the  while — the  father,  mother,  and  daughter. 

Next  morning  he  said,  "  We  must  have  preach- 
ing here;"  I  said,  "Very  well,  give  it  out;"  he 
did  so,  and  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation, 
and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present,  and  some 
of  the  great  ones  of  the  earth  who  were  there, 
wept  sore;  and  I  spoke  to  them  freely,  one  by 
one,  as  if  they  were  in  class.  The  two  daughters 
and  themselves  found  peace,  and  their  son-in-law 
was  powerfully  wrought  upon.  I  spent  many  an 
hour  with  these  dear  people  of  God.  One  even- 
ing, as  I  was  reading  a  chapter  in  the  bible,  the 
power  of  the  Lord  came  down  on  us,  so  that  we 
all  cried  out,  and  I  said,  "Let  us  pray."  We 
kneeled  down  and  prayed,  and  it  was  a  precious 
time.  In  the  morning,  C.  S.  said  he  never  was 
10  happy  in  all  his  life. 

Next  day  I  went  on  to  my  appointment,  where 
we  had  a  large  congregation:  I  preached  with 
life  and  power,  and  God  attended  the  word  with 
the  energy  of  his  Spirit.  A  Quaker  girl  was 
powerfully  wrought  upon,  so  that  every  joint  in 
her  shook,  and  she  would  have  fallen  to  the  floor, 
but  four  or  five  took  and  carried  her  out  of  the 
house:  when  she  had  recovered  a  little,  she  went 
to  a  neighbour's  house,  and  told  him  that  she  had 
seen  the  dreadfulest  old  man  that  she  had  ever 
seen  in  all  her  life,  and  that  he  almost  scared  her 
to  death;  for  his  eyes  looked  like  two  balls  of 


130  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal. 


fire,  and  that  she  expected  every  minute  he  would 
jump  at  her.  "But,"  said  the  neighbour,  "I 
know  the  old  man,  and  he  would  not  hurt  or 
touch  you."  I  went  on,  and  the  power  of  the 
Lord  continued  amongst  us  in  such  a  manner, 
that  many  fell  to  the  floor,  and  others  cried  aloud 
for  mercy.  One  yountc  woman  rose  and  began 
to  exhort  the  people;*  I  stopped  preaching,  which 


*  "  Wbat  .1  plain  anil  easy  romment  is  here  put  upon 
1  Cor.  xiv.  3(1,  31  :  '  If  anything  be  revealed  to  another  that 
sitteth  bv,  let  Hie  first  hold  his  peace ;  for  vc  may  all  pro- 
phecy one  by  one.'  And  bow  it  meets  1  Cor." i.  27,  28 :  '  God 
hath  chosen  the  foolish  things,'  &c.  The  same  light  dawned 
upon  the  mind  of  Mr.  Wesley,  and  he  walked  in  the  same 
simplicity,  as  may  he  seen  by  the  following  extract  from  his 
Journal.  And  there  are  numbers  now,  who  walk  in  the  same 
light  and  simplicity. 

"  He  says  (Monday,  Sept.  17,  1701).  about  noon  1  preached 
at  Bath,  the  day  before  Mr.  Davis  had  preached  abroad. 
One  fruit  of  this  was,  the  congregation  was  larger  now  than 
I  remember  it  to  have  been  these  seven  years.  Thence  I 
rode  to  Comb-Grove,  a  house  built  in  a  large  grove,  on  the 

side  of  a  high  steep  hill.    I  found  Mrs.  the  same  still, 

with  regard  to  her  liveliness,  but  not  her  wildness ;  in  this 
she  was  much  altered.  I  preached  at  five,  to  a  small  serious 
congregation.    And  I  believe  few  were  sent  empty  away. 

"  Two  persons  from  London,  who  were  at  Bath  for  their 
health,  had  walked  over  to  the  preaching.  Afterwards  we 
all  spent  an  hour  in  singing  and  serious  conversation.  The 
fire  kindled  more  and  more,  till  Mrs.  ■ — ■ —  asked  1  If  1  would 
give  her  leave  to  pray.'  Such  a  prayer  I  never  heard  before, 
it  was  perfectly  original:  odd  and  unconnected,  made  up  of 
disjointed  fragments:  and  yet  like  a  flame  of  fire.  Every 
sentence  went  through  my  heart,  and  I  believe  the  heart  of 
every  one  present.  For  many  months  I  have  found  nothing 
like  it.    It  was  good  for  me  to  be  there. 

"  Wednesday  19.— At  five  we  had  such  a  congregation  as 
does  not  use  to  meet  here  at  that  hour.  At  nine  I  preached 
at  Comb-Grove,  and  found  again  that  God  was  there. 

"  Is  not  this  an  instance  often  thousand,  of  God's  choosing 
the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise?  Here 
is  one  that  has  not  only  a  weak  natural  understanding,  but 


Three  souls  set  at  liberty. 


131 


I  always  judged  was  best  in  similar  instances, 
and  let  God  send  by  whom  he  will  send;  she 
went  on  for  some  time  with  great  life  and  power, 
and  then  cried  out,  "  Let  us  pray ;"  we  all  kneeled 
down,  and  she  prayed  with  life  and  liberty,  until 
she  was  spent  and  so  forbore.  A  preacher  being 
present  I  called  on  him,  and  he  went  to  prayer, 
and  while  he  was  praying,  three  were  set  at 
liberty;  and  after  him  myself  and  others  prayed, 
and  several  received  justifying  faith.  The  shout 
continued  for  the  space  of  three  or  four  hours; 
after  meeting  broke  up,  I  thought  it  was  not 
necessary  to  meet  the  class,  as  we  had  had  such  a 
powerful  time,  and  it  had  lasted  so  long  already. 

The  young  woman  who  had  given  the  exhorta- 
tion and  prayed,  took  five  others  with  her  and 
retired  to  the  barn  to  pray  for  the  mourners  who 
went  with  them,  where  they  continued  until  late 
in  the  evening,  and  three  souls  were  set  at  liber- 
ty; and  another,  as  she  was  returning  home  in 
sore  distress,  fell  on  her  face  in  the  woods,  where 
she  continued  in  prayer  until  God  set  her  soul  at 
liberty  to  rejoice  in  his  love. 

An  old  Presbyterian  woman  requested  me  to 
call  at  her  house  on  the  ensuing  day,  as  she 

an  impetuosity  of  temper  bordering  upon  madness.  And 
hence  both  her  sentiments  arc  confused  and  her  expressions 
odd  and  indigested.  And  yet,  notwithstanding  this,  more  of 
the  real  power  of  God  attends  these  uncouth  expressions, 
than  the  sensible  discourses  of  even  good  men,  who  have 
twenty  times  her  understanding. 

"  Thus  1  have  many  times  known  God  to  attach  his  power 
to  the  words  of  extremely  weak  men.  The  humble  over- 
looked, the  weakness  of  the  men,  and  rejoiced  in  the  power 
of  God.  But  all  his  power  is  unacknowledged,  unfelt  by 
those  w  ho  stumble  at  the  weakness  of  the  instrument." — See 
the  Rev.  J.  Wesley's  Thirteenth  Journal,  page  102. 
I  2 


132      A  Presbyterian  woman  sanctified. 

wanted  to  discourse  with  me  on  religion.  I  did 
call,  and  she  received  me  very  kindly,  and  then 
related  her  conviction  and  conversion,  and  added, 
"That  some  years  alter,  God  had  sealed  her  his 
to  the  day  of  eternity;  and,"  said  she,  "neither 
our  preachers  nor  people  will  believe  me,  when  1 
tell  them  how  happy  I  am."  I  then  endeavoured 
to  explain  to  her  the  nature  of  sanctification,  and 
what  it  was,  and  asked  her  if  we  should  pray  to- 
gether; she  replied,  "With  all  my  heart." 
After  prayer  I  departed  in  peace,  having  no 
doubt  but  what  God  had  sanctified  her  soul  and 
body.  She  was  the  first  Presbyterian  that  I  ever 
had  met  with,  that  would  acknowledge  sanctifi- 
cation in  its  proper  sense. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I  had 
put  Brother  G.  D.  (who  professed  sanctification), 
class  leader,  and  the  Lord  attended  his  words 
with  power.  This  had  brought  the  man  of  the 
house,  where  the  class  met,  into  doubts  whether 
the  work  was  of  God  or  the  devil,  for  the  peo- 
ple had  frequently  fallen,  both  under  his  prayer 
and  exhortation. 

As  soon  as  I  came  to  the  house,  he  related  how 
great  his  exercises  had  been  respecting  the  work. 
"One  day,"  said  he,  "I  thought  1  would  go 
down  to  my  stack-yard,  which  stood  some  dis- 
tance from  the  house,  and  there  pray  to  God  to 
discover  the  reality  of  it  to  me,  and  on  my  way 
thither,  as  I  sat  on  a  fence,  I  thought  I  saw  a 
man  sitting  on  the  next  pannel ;  I  got  off  and 
went  down  to  the  stacks,  and  the  man  went  with 
me,  side  by  side,  and  when  I  kneeled  down  to 
pray,  the  man  stood  right  before  me.  I  prayed 
until  my  shirt  was  wet  on  my  back,  entreating 
God  that  he  would  give  me  some  token,  whereby 


An  Angel  appears. 


133 


I  might  know  whether  the  work  was  of  him  or 
not.  The  man  who  stood  before  me  said,  'Bles- 
sed are  those  that  are  pure  in  heart.'  I  then 
arose  to  see  whether  he  was  a  man  or  not,  and 
went  to  put  my  hand  upon  him,  and  he  said, 
'Touch  me  not.'  I  then  turned  myself  round 
another  way,  and  he  stood  right  before  me  again, 
and  said  several  other  words,  which  I  do  not 
relate,  and  then  vanished  or  ascended  as  in  a 
flame  of  fire."  "Now,"  said  I,  "do  you  doubt 
about  the  matter,  whether  the  work  is  of  God 
or  not  ?"  "  No,"  said  he,  "  I  have  now  no  doubts 
about  it,  for  God  has  sent  his  angel  to  confirm 
me."  I  then  went  and  preached ;  the  Lord  was 
present.  We  had  a  glorious  time,  and  several 
fell  to  the  floor  ;  we  had  a  precious  time  also  in 
class,  and  two  joined  society. 

CHAPTER  III. 

A  man  hangs  himself— Ocean  of  love— A  Whitfieldite—  Re- 
markable dream— Baptist  woman  exhorts — Remark»  on 
the  circuit. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  and 
found  a  large  congregation.  I  preached,  and  the 
power  of  the  Lord  attended  the  word.  One 
young  man  sprang  from  the  bench,  and  cried 
aloud  for  mercy,  then  fell  on  his  knees  and  prayed 
fervently;  I  stopped  preaching,  and  when  he  w;is 
done  I  went  to  prayer  with  him,  and  after  me 
several  others  :  many  wept,  some  cried  aloud  for 
mercy,  and  others  fell  to  the  floor.  When  I  dis- 
missed the  people  to  meet  class,  1  invited  the 
young  man  in.  Here  we  had  a  precious  season 
among  the  dear  people  of  God,  and  some  mour- 
ners  were  set  at  liberty. 


134  A  mart  hangs  himself. 


The  young  man  soon  after  went  to  his  brother- 
in-law's  to  make  hay;  and  there  arose  a  thunder 
storm,  and  he  being  under  great  distress,  in  the 
agony  of  his  soul  kneeled  down  and  went  to 
prayer,  his  brother-in-law  came  to  him  and  beat 
him  with  his  pitch-fork,  and  swore  he  would  kill 
him,  if  he  did  not  promise  he  would  not  go  to 
the  Methodist  meeting  any  more;  accordingly  he 
promised  him  that  he  would  not  go,  and  imme- 
diately he  went  into  deep  dispair.  His  parents 
soon  found  that  his  despair  affected  his  under- 
standing, and  they  watched  him,  lest  he  should 
make  away  with  himself.  His  mind  was  wretched 
and  filled  with  horror,  and  his  cry  was,  "that  he 
had  committed  the  unpardonable  sin.  That  he 
had  sinned  against  the  Holy  Ghost !  in  promising 
not  to  go  to  the  Methodist  meeting  any  more." 
In  this  melancholy  desperation,  before  four  weeks 
were  expired,  he  stole  away  privately  and  hanged 
himself.  This  was  the  end  of  that  poor  unfortu- 
nate young  man. 

How  careful  ought  parents  to  be,  and  those 
who  have  the  care  of  youth  under  them,  when 
they  attempt  to  restrain  them  in  matters  of  reli- 
gion, lest  they  bring  down  their  own  hairs  with 
sorrow  to  the  grave,  or  are  left  to  relent  their 
own  imprudent  conduct  when  it  may  be  eternally 
too  late.  And  how  must  they  feel  or  answer  it 
at  the  bar  of  God,  who  have  made  themselves  in- 
struments in  the  bunds  of  the  devil,  to  restrain 
youth  from  the  worship  of  God,  while  they  have 
allowed  them  to  live  in  all  manner  of  vice  with- 
out restraint;  but,  alas!  how  many  such  are  to 
be  found,  who  are  enemies  to  the  God  of  all  good  ! 

Our  quarterly-meeting  was  held  at  Brother 
G.'s,  many  attended  it,  and  Brother  Garretson, 


An  old  Whitfieldite.  135 


being  our  presiding  elder,  opened  the  meeting, 
and  administered  the  sacrament ;  we  had  a  pre- 
cions  time.  In  love-feast  many  spoke  feelingly  of 
the  dealings  of  God  with  their  souls,  and  seemed 
lost  in  the  ocean  of  love,  and  many  wept.  After 
love-feast,  Brother  J.  preached,  and  several  exhor- 
tations were  given,  and  we  had  a  precious  quar- 
terly-meeting. 

Next  day,  when  I  retired  into  a  private  room, 
and  poured  out  my  soul  in  prayer,  the  power  of 
God  came  upon  me  in  a  wonderful  manner,  and 
I  went  out  and  told  Sister  J.  (her  husband  being 
absent)  that  we  would  have  a  prayer-meeting; 
the  family  came  together,  and  among  them  a 
Presbyterian  girl,  and  the  power  of  God  came 
upon  them  so,  that  the  girl  and  family  all  cried 
out.  I  then  went  on  to  my  next  appointment 
and  preached.  Here  were  two  Baptist  men,  that 
had  been  convinced  of  the  truth  of  what  I 
preached,  and  followed  me  from  place  to  place. 
One  of  them,  as  I  was  to  preach  in  a  Baptist  set- 
tlement, invited  their  minister  to  come  and  hear 
me;  accordingly  two  of  them  came.  I  preached 
from  these  words:  "By  grace  are  ye  saved 
through  faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is 
the  gift  of  God."  I  endeavoured  to  show  that 
the  graces  of  the  Spirit  were  the  gift  of  God. 
Neither  of  the  preachers  said  any  tiling;  but  one 
of  the  men  arose  and  said,  "  Do  not  let  us  say 
any  more,  as  we  have  done  in  our  church,  that 
we  cannot  do  any  thing,  but  that  we  will  not  do 
any  thing." 

Here  I  met  with  an  old  Whitfieldite,  who  was 
exceedingly  happy ;  he  told  his  experience,  and 
said,  "  It  was  the  case  in  Whitfield's  time,  about 
forty-five  years  ago,  much  as  it  is  now,  in  the 


136   A  Baptist  and  three  others  join  Society. 

divine  power  attending  the  word  preached." 
The  ministers  perceiving  they  were  in  danger  of 
losing  their  members,  one  of  them  went  home 
with  one  of  the  men,  he  being  a  rich  man  they 
were  loath  to  give  him  np,  and  tarried  with  him 
all  day,  and  at  night  the  other  came  and  tarried 
until  morning,  but  all  to  no  purpose,  he  deter- 
mined to  go  and  hear  ine  again,  and  invited  the 
minister  to  go  with  him.  They  both  set  out,  but 
the  minister,  steing  he  was  not  likely  to  prevail, 
turned  another  way,  and  he  came  to  meeting, 
where  we  had  a  precious  melting  season  in  wait- 
ing before  God. 

After  preaching,  I  desired  all  those  who  had  a 
desire  to  join  society,  to  stay  in  class  with  us ; 
accordingly,  the  Baptist  man  and  some  others 
staid  in.  I  met  society,  and  we  had  a  precious- 
time  among  us.  He  and  three  others  joined  so- 
ciety ;  one  of  them  I  advised  to  betake  herself  to 
her  father's  barn,  as  a  place  of  prayer  and  retire- 
ment, and  there  frequently  to  supplicate  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  I  did  not  doubt  but  before 
that  day  four  weeks  she  would  receive  the  par- 
doning love  of  God;  but  she  neglected  it  from 
day  to  day,  until  one  night  she  dreamed  that  she 
saw  the  elements  all  on  fire,  and  that  it  broke  out 
on  Fish-kill-mountain,  and  that  she  saw  the  Lord 
appearing  with  all  his  mighty  host  to  judge  the 
world,  that  the  fire  had  reached  one  of  their 
fields,  and  drew  near  their  house,  and  that  she 
was  unprepared  to  meet  God.  Her  screeches  and 
screams  alarmed  all  the  people  in  the  house;  she 
sprang  out  of  bed  and  they  did  the  same ;  it  was 
some  time  before  they  could  convince  her  but 
what  the  day  of  judgment  had  in  reality  com- 
menced. This  increased  her  distress,  and  soon 
after  she  found  peace  to  her  soul. 


A  Calvinist  leader. 


137 


At  my  next  appointment,  I  had  a  Baptist 
preacher  to  hear  me;  many  wept.  I  told  him  to 
wait,  and  any  well  disposed  person  might  do  the 
same.  When  I  spoke  to  the  leader,  I  found  him 
to  be  a  Calvinist,  and  asked  who  made  him  a 
leader?  They  said,  Brother  Tolhert.  I  told 
them  it  would  not  answer  to  have  a  Calvinist  to 
lead  our  people.  "Then,"  said  he,  "I  will  go 
out  of  the  society."  I  said,  "Very  well;"  and  I 
crossed  out  his  name  and  put  in  another  that 
was  settled  in  our  doctrine.  I  pressed  sanctifica- 
tion  on  them,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  came  upon 
one  woman,  so  that  she  trembled  every  joint  in 
her  body,  and  soon  lost  the  use  of  her  speech,  and 
continued  so  for  some  time. 

I  desired  the  people  to  look  to  themselves,  for 
they  now  saw,  with  their  bodily  eyes,  how  God 
was  at  work  ;  they  stood  amazed,  meanwhile  the 
power  of  the  Lord  struck  a  Baptist  woman  to  the 
floor,  and  when  she  came  to  she  exhorted  the 
people  to  believe,  "For,"  said  she,  "I  am  as 
nappy  as  I  can  live."  When  the  Methodist 
woman  came  to,  she  said  God  had  sanctified  her 
soul.    We  had  a  blessed  time,  and  I  was  happy. 

Next  day  I  met  Brother  Garretson  at  Brother 
B.'s,  on  Fish-kill-mountain,  and  held  a  love- 
feast;  Brother  G.  opened  it,  and  after  handing 
about  the  bread  and  water,  the  people  spoke  feel- 
ingly of  God's  dealings  with  their  souls,  and  we 
had  a  melting  time.  After  love-feast,  Brother  G. 
preached,  and  I  exhorted.  When  I  came  to  this 
circuit,  there  were  but  few  that  knew  the  Lord, 
and  when  I  left  it,  I  think  there  were  about  one 
hundred  that  had  found  peace  in  Him  of  whom 
Moses  and  the  prophets  wrote.  We  had  nine  in 
this  place  when  I  came  on  the  circuit,  and  w« 


138 


He  reasons  with  a  Baptist. 


now  had  forty  added.  I  took  one  hundred  into 
the  society.  We  had  many  precious  times  here. 

One  day  we  had  two  Baptist  preachers  present, 
and  I  preached  up  holiness,  and  the  Lord  at- 
tended the  word  with  mighty  power,  and  we  had 
a  glorious  time.  One  of  the  preachers  told  me 
that  I  had  given  them  and  all  the  people  to  the 
devil,  by  preaching  up  holiness  and  freedom 
from  sin;  "For,"  said  he,  "I  sin  every  day."  I 
then  reasoned  the  matter  with  him,  and  said,  "If 
you  are  a  preacher  of  God,  let  us  unite  and 
preach  down  sin  wherever  we  find  it;  for  St.  John 
says,  'He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil:' 
and  what  will  you  make  of  that  ?"  By  this  time 
a  large  number  was  gathered  about  us.  I  told 
him  that  the  will  was  one  of  the  greatest  facul- 
ties of  the  human  soul.  "Now,"  said  I,  "let  me 
see  you  put  your  hand  to  your  head  without 
the  approbation  of  your  will,  or  any  one  of  you 
either  sit  down  or  rise  up  without  the  approbation 
of  your  will ;"  a  Baptist  young  man  said  it  could 
not  be  done,  but  his  wife  said  it  could  ;  he  desired 
her  to  do  something  without  the  consent  of  the 
will,  but  she  confessed  she  could  not.  The 
Baptist  preacher  said,  "He  had  learned  some- 
thing that  he  never  knew  before."  We  parted 
in  good  friendship,  but  the  old  preacher  staid, 
and  spent  the  evening  very  friendly.  I  trust  he 
was  a  well-wisher  to  the  cause  of  God. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Several  obtain  sanctification — Ocean  of  love— Meeting  at  a 
Quaker's — Shining  face — A  view  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Next  morning  I  went  with  Brother  Garrfitson 
to  New   Rochelle   quarterly-meeting,  where  I 


Four  profess  sanctijication.  139 

preached  from,  "Whom  he  did  predestinate, 
them  he  also  called,"  &c.  Several  exhortations 
were  given,  and  we  had  a  peaceable  waiting  on  the 
Lord.  Next  morning  Brother  Garretson  opened 
the  love-feast,  and  many  spoke  feelingly  of  the 
dealings  of  God  to  their  souls  :  after  love-feast 
one  preached,  and  several  gave  exhortations,  and 
we  had  a  peaceable  waiting  on  the  Lord. 

That  evening  there  came  as  many  as  twelve  to 
me,  and  said  that  they  wanted  clean  hearts ; 
"Well,"  said  I,  "if  this  be  your  desire,  I  have 
no  doubt  but  you  will  receive  the  blessing  before 
you  leave  the  house."  I  began  to  tell  them  what 
the  Lord  was  doing,  and  what  I  had  seen  of  his 
work  through  the  land,  and  exhorted  them  to  let 
every  breath  be  prayer,  as  if  it  were  their  last, 
and  then  gave  out  a  hymn  and  went  to  prayer, 
and  four  of  the  men  fell  to  the  floor,  and  strug- 
gled about  as  long  as  they  would  have  done  if 
their  heads  had  been  cut  off.  This  frightened 
the  women,  who  thought  they  never  would  come 
to.  But  I  told  them  there  was  no  danger,  and 
exhorted  them  to  be  engaged  with  God  for  the 
blessing,  and  that  I  had  no  doubt  but  what  he 
would  sanctify  them  before  they  arose  from  the 
floor.  They  lay  near  one  hour,  and  then  one  of 
them  turned  himself  and  began  to  praise  God, 
who  had  sanctified  his  soul  and  body;  and  then 
another,  and  so  on,  till  they  all  four  professed 
sanctification ;  then  shouted  and  praised  God  for 
what  he  had  done  for  them.  I  exhorted  the  re- 
maining eight  to  be  much  engaged,  and  the  Lord 
would  sanctify  them  also;  they  wept  much,  but 
did  not  receive  the  blessing. 

There  was  a  girl,  about  twelve  or  thirteen  years 
old,  that  was  struck  down  when  the  men  were; 


140 


A  Watch-night. 


but  no  notice  had  been  taken  of  her;  afterwards 
I  called  for  a  light  to  see  where  she  was,  and 
when  we  found  her,  she  was  lying  in  the  corner 
of  the  house  like  a  dead  person.  I  told  them  to 
let  her  alone,  and  the  Lord  would  justify  her 
soul :  she  lay  about  three  hours,  and  when  she 
came  to,  she  said  the  Lord  had  pardoned  her  sins, 
and  she  had  such  a  peace  in  her  soul  that  she 
never  felt  before.  We  then  all  joined  in  singing 
and  prayer  and  then  parted,  it  being  about 
twelve  o'clock  at  night. 

In  the  morning,  one  of  the  women  that  had 
sat  by  the  evening  before  and  seen  her  husband 
sanctified,  was  determined  to  have  the  blessing  or 
die.  She  afterwards  told  me,  that  she  eat  no 
breakfast,  but  retired  to  her  chamber  and  wres- 
tled with  God  until  near  night,  when  the  power 
of  the  Lord  came  upon  her  and  struck  her  down, 
but  how  long  she  lay  she  could  not  tell;  but  she 
knew  that  the  Lord  had  sanctified  her  soul. 

I  went  on  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I 
preached  to  a  large  congregation  ;  for  the  alarm 
had  spread  far  and  wide.  When  I  came  to  my 
application,  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  down, 
and  about  a  dozen  fell  to  the  floor,  and  there  was 
weeping  and  shouting,  and  praising  God  all 
through  the  house.  Some  were  justified,  some 
sanctified,  and  others  seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of 
love.  One  of  our  brethren  that  day  received 
the  witness  or  testimony  of  the  Spirit,  who  was 
sanctified  some  days  before,  but  had  been  afraid 
to  own  it,  for  want  of  a  clearer  manifestation. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  my  appointment, 
where  I  was  to  have  a  watch-night  that  evening; 
abundance  of  people  were  gathered.  I  preached, 
and  three  or  four  gave  a  word  of  exhortation: 
teveral  cried  out. 


Meeting  at  a  Quaker's. 


141 


When  the  meeting  broke  up,  a  young  woman, 
the  daughter  of  one  Kinsey,  a  Quaker,  came  to 
me,  and  requested  me  to  preach  at  her  father's; 
for  she  had  dreamed  the  night  before,  that  if  I 
would  preach  there,  the  Lord  would  sanctify  her 
soul.  I  told  her  to  have  an  appointment  made 
for  the  next  day.  Accordingly  I  went  and 
preached,  and  we  had  a  precious  time. 

After  dismissing  the  people,  I  called  the  mem- 
bers of  the  class  together,  and  while  exhorting 
them  to  sanctification,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  came 
upon  the  young  woman,  and  likewise  on  her  mo- 
ther, but  not  so  powerfully  as  on  the  daughter; 
however,  the  young  woman  continued  screaming, 
and  screeching,  and  crying  for  purity  of  heart, 
until  the  old  friend,  her  father,  grew  impatient, 
and  came  into  the  room  where  we  were,  and  said, 
"The  Lord  is  not  in  the  earthquake,  nor  in  the 
whirlwind,  but  in  the  still  small  voice."  I  re- 
plied, "Do  you  know  what  the  earthquake 
means?  It  is  the  mighty  powerful  thunders  of 
God's  voice  from  Mount  Sinai;  it  is  the  divine 
law  to  drive  us  to  Christ;  and  the  whirlwind  is 
the  mighty  power  of  conviction,  like  the  rushing 
of  a  mighty  wind,  tearing  away  every  false  hope, 
and  stripping  us  of  every  plea ;  but  give  me 
Christ  or  else  I  die."    With  that  he  left  us. 

When  his  daughter  came  to,  she  professed 
sanctification  ;  then  she  enjoyed  the  Lord  in  the 
"still  small  voice."  The  mother  seemed  to  be- 
lieve and  not  believe ;  one  minute  saying  she  did, 
and  in  another,  unbelief  coming  in  and  telling 
her  it  was  not  possible  the  Lord  should  do  »o 
much  for  her,  she  again  doubted. 

Next  morning  I  went  on  to  another  appoint- 
ment at  Brother  Lyon's.  I  took  my  text  and 
preached,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  felt 


142   Threatened  by  the  children  of  the  devil. 

among  us  by  many :  Brother  Lyon's  daughter, 
and  another  young  woman,  were  both  struck 
down  to  the  floor.  While  I  stood  looking  on, 
one  of  them  appeared  to  have  a  degree  of  glory 
in  her  countenance,  and,  lest  my  eyes  should  de- 
ceive me,  I  asked  a  man  by  me,  if  ever  he  saw 
any  mortal  face  shine  like  hers  :  he  said  he  never 
did.  Many  that  had  run  away  from  the  meeting, 
swore  that  they  would  do  terrible  things  to  me: 
however,  I  escaped  for  that  time,  thanks  be  to 
God. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  and  had 
a  pretty  large  congregation ;  for  they  never  had 
seen  any  thing  like  this,  and  probably  curiosity 
brought  many.  I  preached  with  life  and  power; 
and  one  of  our  local  preachers  caught  of  the 
Spirit,  and  went  on  Jehu-like,  and  did  me  much 
service.  There  were  three  or  four  justified,  and 
one  sanctified,  and  the  saints  were  built  up  in 
their  most  holy  faith.  One  woman  fell  on  the 
hearth  in  great  extremity  of  soul.  I  met  the 
class,  and  the  dear  people  spoke  very  feelingly, 
and  no  harm  was  done  to  us  by  the  wicked. 

I  then  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I 
was  threatened  hard  by  the  children  of  the  devil 
what  they  would  do,  if  there  were  such  work  as 
at  the  first  meeting;  but  this  far  exceeded  the 
former;  one  woman  fell  to  the  floor,  and  cried 
out,  "I  see  the  Lord  Jesus  in  his  beauty!  (re- 
peating it,  I  believe,  twenty  times);  but  not  with 
these  bodily  eyes,  but  with  the  eye  of  faith!" 
An  old  man  also  fell  in  one  corner  of  the  house, 
and  made  a  great  uproar.  A  soldier,  who  stood 
at  the  door,  wept  bitterly.  Here  I  expected  harm 
would  be  done:  but  there  was  none  to  my  know- 
ledge. After  public  meeting,  I  met  the  class,  and 
all  was  well. 


[43 


CHAPTER  V. 

A  liarJ-lieartcd  people — Sets  out  for  the  circuit— Preacher 
for  the  devil— Preaches  on  "  What  is  truth  ?"— A  young 
man  falls  into  the  fire. 

I  went  to  my  appointment  next  day,  where  I 
found  many  assembled.  I  preached,  and  God  at- 
tended  the  word  with  power.  Here  a  lawyer 
was  convinced  of  the  reality  of  religion,  and  we 
had  a  good  meeting.  In  the  evening  many  came 
to  see  me,  and  to  talk  about  religion;  I  told  them 
what  I  had  seen  in  various  parts  of  the  Lord's 
vineyard. 

Next  morning  I  rode  to  another  appointment; 
the  congregation  consisted  chiefly  of  dead,  irre- 
ligious Church  people.  I  saw  but  little  fruit  of 
the  Spirit  among  them,  though  I  was  enabled  to 
preach  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  to  give  them 
gospel  warning. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  on  the  borders 
of  Connecticut,  and  preached  to  a  cunning,  hard- 
hearted people,  and  stiff-necked  Predestinarians. 
I  met  the  class,  which  was  very  small  in  this 
place. 

Next  day  I  had  a  crowded  house,  and  four  or 
five  preachers  were  present:  I  preached,  and  seve- 
ral of  them  exhorted ;  the  woman  of  the  house 
said,  "She  expected  we  were  going  to  storm  hell." 
Some  cried  out  under  sore  distress. 

Next  day  I  met  Brother  G.  and  in  the  middle 
of  my  discourse,  the  Lord  preached  from  heaven; 
some  cried  aloud,  and  some  fell  to  the  floor.  Two 
professed  that  God  had  pardoned  all  their  sins. 
Here  I  fell  in  with  a  man,  the  greatest  scriptu- 
arian  that  I  had  ever  seen.    He  told  me,  that  he 


144  Meets  with  an  Israelite. 


had  offered  to  engage,  for  a  certain  consideration, 
to  get  the  scripture  by  heart  in  one  year;  and  if 
he  failed,  he  would  forfeit  double  the  considera- 
tion. Brother  G.  went  on,  till  he  got  to  General 
Copelin's;  and  I  went  to  Widow  Smith's  and 
preached :  met  class,  and  had  a  comfortable  time. 
Here  I  met  with  Catharine  Van  Wick,  an  Is- 
raelite, in  whom  I  believe  there  is  no  guile:  she 
professed  holiness,  and  I  believe  she  enjoyed  it. 

Next  morning  I  set  out  for  my  circuit;  went 
to  my  appointment,  and  found  a  considerable 
number  gathered.  Here  were  a  good  many  Bap- 
tists, but  God  worked,  and  many  cried  out.  I 
met  the  class,  and  had  a  melting  time  among  the 
little  few  that  waited  on  the  Lord.  Several  Bap- 
tists made  intercession  for  me  to  preach  in  their 
neighbourhood,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  distant. 
I  had  a  meeting  appointed  and  preached  there, 
and  I  trust  the  word  did  not  fall  to  the  ground, 
but  that  good  seed  was  sown  in  that  place. 

I  went  next  day  to  another  appointment, 
preached,  met  the  class,  and  had  a  good  time. 
The  people  gave  great  attention.  I  then  went 
to  Salisbury,  and  preached  to  a  large  congregation. 
There  were  some  dear  old  white-headed  men, 
whose  silvered  locks  were  in  full  bloom  for  the 
grave,  cried  as  if  they  had  been  whipped.  In- 
deed, the  word  is  a  rod  of  correction.  One  young 
man  was  so  powerfully  wrought  upon,  that  he 
came  to  me  to  know  the  reason;  "For,"  said  he, 
**  I  have  heard  the  text  preached  from  many  times, 
but  it  never  had  such  an  effect  on  me  before." 
I  told  him  the  eternal  God  was  at  work  with  him, 
and  now  was  the  time  to  make  an  application  to 
the  Lord,  that  he  might  bless  him.  Here  the 
woman  of  the  house  was  the  most  uncommon, 


A  wicked  Predestinarian  preacher.  145 

cunning,  religions  person,  that  I  had  ever  met 
with.    \Ve  had  a  good  time  in  class. 

At  my  next  appointment,  I  preached  to  a  small 
congregation  in  a  Baptist  settlement.  Here  a 
Predestinarian  preacher  attended,  and  seemed 
very  friendly;  hut  after  meeting  the  class  I  in- 
quired into  his  character,  and  thev  informed  me, 
that  he  lived  ahout  half  a  mile  from  that  place, 
that  he  had  two  wives,  one  an  old  woman  and 
the  other  a  young  one,  the  old  one  lived  a  mile 
and  a  half  from  him,  and  the  young  one  with 
him.  "Well,"  said  I,  "do  you  call  him  a  good 
preacher?"  They  said,  "Yes,  they  thought  lie 
was."  I  told  them  that  he  was  a  preacher  for 
the  devil,  and  an  heir  of  damnation,  and  I  warned 
the  Methodists  against  hearing  him  at  the  peril 
of  their  souls. 

I  went  next  day  to  my  appointment,  preached 
in  the  evening  to  ahout  five  hundred  people,  and 
among  them  were  two  ministers ;  several  were 
cut  to  the  heart,  and  thirteen  or  fourteen  came  to 
join  society;  we  took  them  in,  and  spoke  as- 
kindly  to  them  as  we  could,  they  heing  only 
young  in  the  way. 

At  my  next  appointment  I  preached  to  a  crowded 
house.  Here  was  a  Baptist  preacher,  who  invited 
me  to  dine  with  him;  I  met  the  class,  and  had  a 
precious  time,  then  I  went  home  with  the  minis- 
ter, who  used  me  kindly. 

Next  morning  I  went  early  to  my  following 
appointment,  having  a  good  way  to  ride;  when 
I  came  there,  I  found  that  Mr.  Steel,  a  Presby- 
terian preacher,  had  appointed  a  meeting  at  the 
next  house,  a  little  way  off,  at  the  same  hour;  I 
told  the  man  of  the  house,  that  it  was  not  worth 
my  while  to  pretend  to  preach,  the  people  being 


146  Preaches  in  the  Spirit. 

chiefly  Presbyterians,  and  but  three  or  four 
Methodists.  Accordingly,  we  went  to  hear  him  ; 
his  text  was,  "Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive;  seek, 
and  ye  shall  rind;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened 
unto  you."  In  the  Hist  place,  he  invited  and 
commanded  them  all  to  believe;  under  the  second 
head,  he  told  them  who  it  was  that  might  ask, 
and  said, "  It  was  believers,  God's  chosen  people;" 
under  the  third  head,  lie  spoke  comfortable  words 
to  God's  people,  and  so  concluded. 

After  he  had  done,  I  stepped  up  to  him,  and 
said,  "How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Steel?"  Said  hp, 
"  I  do  not  know  you."  I  told  him  I  was  a 
preacher.  "I  hope,"  said  he,  "you  preach  the 
truth."  I  told  him  I  should  begin  in  about 
fifteen  minutes.  I  suppose  I  had  about  five  times 
as  many  to  hear  me  as  I  should  have  had,  if  it 
had  not  been  for  his  preaching,  for  the  whole 
congregation,  and  himself  with  them,  came  to 
hear  me.  I  took  for  my  text  the  words  of  Pilate 
to  our  Saviour,  "What  is  truth?"  This  text 
Mr.  Steel  had  given  me,  by  saying,  "I  hope  you 
preach  the  truth."  If  ever  I  preached  with  the 
Spirit,  I  did  at  that  time;  and  the  people  cried 
out,  and  Mr.  Steel  seemed  exceedingly  uneasy, 
and  would  walk  to  the  fire,  and  then  back  again; 
then  another  would  cry  out,  and  he  would  scratch 
or  rub  his  head,  like  a  man  confused  or  perplexed. 
I  dismissed  the  people,  met  the  class,  and  had  a 
peaceable  waiting  before  the  Lord. 

I  next  went  to  'Squire  King's  on  Mount-Wash- 
ington, and  preached  to  a  tine  congregation,  con- 
sidering the  place,  and  we  had  a  precious  time. 
In  class,  a  young  man  prayed  very  powerfully, 
and  in  such  a  manner,  that  I  concluded  in  ray 
mind  he  would  be  a  preacher,  and  so  it  proved, 
for  he  shortly  after  set  out  in  the  work. 


A  young  man  falls  into  the  fire.  147 

The  next  day  I  went  from  the  Mount  to  another 
appointment,  where  I  found  the  man  a  friend  to 
Methodism,  but  the  woman  an  enemy.  The  peo- 
ple came  out  and  I  preached  to  them;  they  ap- 
peared to  he  a  hard-hearted,  stiff-necked  set. 

My  next  appointment  was  at  Brother  Wager's, 
where  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation.  We 
had  a  powerful  time,  some  cried  aloud  for  mercy, 
and  others  shouted  praises  to  God  for  redeeming 
love.  I  met  the  class  which  was  large.  Here  1 
found  a  precious  loving  people,  and  had  a  power- 
ful melting  time  among  them. 

I  went  next  day  to  Captain  Salsbury's,  where 
I  had  a  pretty  little  congregation,  who  gave  good 
attention  to  the  word  spoken.  Some  wept,  some 
sighed,  and  others  groaned.  I  met  the  class,  and 
found  some  precious  souls  happy  in  their  God. 

I  went  next  to  Dr.  Hambleton's,  and  preached 
to  an  attentive  congregation.  I  met  the  class, 
and  had  a  melting  time.  My  next  appointment 
was  in  Albany,  and  the  river  being  so  full  of 
ice,  I  was  informed  that  I  could  not  cross,  so  I 
went  home  with  a  friend.  In  the  morning  there 
was  a  great  roaring  fire  made,  just  before  we 
went  to  prayer,  and  a  young  man  that  stood  on 
the  hearth,  after  we  had  sung  and  kneeled  down, 
began  to  totter,  and  at  last  fell  into  the  blazing 
fire;  our  friend,  seeing  him  fall,  sprang  and  pulled 
him  instantly  out  again.  After  prayer  I  asked  him 
if  he  was  subject  to  tits;  he  said,  "No."  I  asked 
him  if  his  soul  was  converted  to  God;  he  said  he 
did  not  know  that  it  was.  I  then  told  him  that 
I  knew  it  was  not,  and  besought  him  to  call  upon 
God  to  have  mercy  on  him,  adding,  "  That  he 
might  be  exceedingly  thankful  that  he  was  out  of 
hell."   It  was  owing  providentially  to  that  man's 


148 


Teart  old  Calvin  tip. 


pulling  him  out  of  the  fire,  or  he  would  have 
been  beyond  the  reach  of  mercy.  His  body  would 
have  been  burned  to  death,  and  what  would  have 
become  of  his  soul? 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Disputes  on  Calvinism — New  York  Conference  —  Great 
works  —  Newbury  Circuit  —  Extraordinary  class  and  fast- 
day. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment,  where 
I  had  a  tolerable  congregation,  but  a  mixed  mul- 
titude of  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  and  Metho- 
dists. I  preached  and  had  a  peaceable  waiting 
upon  God,  but  I  cannot  say  much  good  was  done. 
I  also  met  the  little  class. 

Next  day  my  appointment  was  at  a  tavern,  I 
saw  the  people  frequently  running  in  and  out  of 
the  bar-room,  and  I  soon  discovered  that  this 
was  no  place  to  win  souls ;  I  told  them  that  I 
would  preach  there  no  more.  One  of  our  friends 
gave  leave  for  preaching  at  his  house.  I  met  the 
little  class  up  stairs. 

I  set  out  for  my  next  appointment ;  I  had  been 
previously  informed,  that  I  was  going  to  a  nest 
of  hornets.  When  I  arrived  at  the  place,  I 
found  a  large  congregation  gathered,  and  I 
preached  from  "The  clay  and  the  potter."  I 
discovered,  while  I  was  speaking,  that  several 
sat  as  on  nettles  and  thorns ;  however,  I  went  on 
and  finished  my  discourse,  and  immediately  was 
attacked  by  some  of  them.  They  asked  me  if 
the  meeting  was  over,  I  told  them,  "  Yes." 
Then  about  half-a-dozen  began  to  dispute;  for  in 
my  explaining  the  text,  I  tore  old  Calvin  up 


Disputation  on  Calvinism.  149 


from  the  very  bottom.  We  continued  our  dis- 
pute from  the  time  that  meeting  broke  up,  until 
about  eleven  o'clock  at  night.  I  told  them  to 
speak  only  one  at  a  time,  and  they  would  last  the 
longer ;  one  of  them  asked  me  what  I  would  do 
with  this  text,  "Whom  he  did  foreknow,"  &c. 
I  told  him  to  spread  it  far  and  wide,  that  on  that 
day  four  weeks,  I  would  preach  from  those  very 
words. 

At  the  time  appointed  hundreds  came  together, 
and  I  preached  from  the  words.  They  were  ex- 
ceedingly attentive,  and  listened  with  all  the 
powers  they  had.  After  I  had  concluded  and 
dismissed  them,  they  said,  "If  I  had  beaten  them 
in  argument,  I  had  not  in  judgment."  In  a 
short  time  afterward,  about  thirty  joined  society, 
and  talked  of  building  a  meeting-house. 

I  went  down  to  Captain  S.'s,  and  told  him, 
that  if  he  could  get  a  place  in  a  certain  town 
about  two  miles  distant,  that  I  would  preach 
there.  He  asked  me  if  I  would  preach  in  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house  if  he  could  get  it;  I 
told  him,  "Yes."  He  got  his  horse  and  rode  to 
the  minister,  and  asked  him  if  he  were  willing  to 
let  a  pious  old  man  preach  in  his  meeting-house, 
as  he  was  just  going  to  leave  those  parts.  He 
said,  he  was,  if  the  elders  were;  he  then  went  to 
them  and  obtained  their  consent.  Accordingly  I 
preached,  and  the  people  gave  great  attention. 
After  preaching,  I  told  them  if  they  were  willing, 
that  I  would  preach  there  again  on  the  Monday 
following,  on  predestination,  as  it  was  a  spare 
day  with  me.  Accordingly,  I  preached  at  the 
time  appointed,  from  "Whom  he  did  foreknow, 
lie  also  did  predestinate,"  &c.  The  preacher 
came  with  his  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  sat  be- 


150  Disputes  with  a  Presbyterian  Minister. 

hind  me  in  the  pulpit,  aud  began  to  write;  but 
in  a  few  minutes  got  lost  and  confused,  and  laid 
aside  his  pen  and  ink.  I  went  on  and  finished 
my  discourse;  the  people  gave  attention,  and  I 
saw  some  weeping  in  the  galleries ;  after  I  had 
done,  the  preacher  rose  up  and  said,  "This fellow 
has  had  my  pulpit  two  days;"  then  said  he  to  me, 
"  I  want  to  know  if  you  hold  to  the  fall  of  man  ?" 
I  answered,  "I  appeal  to  this  people,  if  ever  it 
were  preached  fuller  from  this  pulpit,  than  I 
have  this  day  preached  it."  He  then  asked  me 
"If  I  held  with  the  main  heads  of  the  West- 
minster confession  of  faith.',  I  told  him,  "No." 
He  then  got  out  his  articles  and  began  to  read 
them ;  but  the  greater  part  of  the  people  fol- 
lowed me  out  of  the  house. 

The  Saturday  and  Sunday  following,  we  held 
our  quarterly-meeting  at  Brother  Wager's.  On 
Saturday,  one  of  the  preachers  preached,  and 
there  were  several  exhortations ;  we  had  a  melt- 
ing precious  time  of  it  among  the  people  of  God. 
On  Sunday,  we  had  a  good  many  friends  at  love- 
feast,  considering  it  was  a  new  circuit ;  and  after 
handing  the  bread  and  water  about,  there  were 
two  or  three  prayed,  and  Brother  Garretsou  set 
the  friends  to  speaking  their  experiences,  and 
many  spoke  feelingly.  I  arose  and  claimed  the 
promises,  that  God  would  sanctify  his  people, 
and  besought  every  person  to  be  engaged  for  the 
blessing,  and  to  take  no  denial,  but  have  it  to-day. 
And  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  down,  first  on 
Brother  S.'s  daughter,  then  on  his  wife,  then  on 
a  black  woman  belonging  to  the  house ;  there 
were  three  sanctified  in  a  short  time,  and  we  had 
a  most  blessed,  precious,  powerful  time  in  waiting 
on  the  Lord. 


Speaks  his  experience  at  Conference.  151 

We  now  set  out  for  conference,  which  was  to 
he  held  in  the  city  of  New  York.  We  had 
several  love-feasts  as  we  passed  along ;  and  when 
we  came  to  the  city,  we  met  and  joined  with  our 
brethren  there.  Our  conference  went  on  from 
day  to  day  iu  brotherly  love  and  unity.  There 
was  preaching  by  one  or  another  every  night. 
I  was  sitting  one  day  in  the  kitchen  where  I 
put  up,  being  tired  of  confinement  in  conference 
so  long,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  me 
in  a  miraculous  manner,  so  that  I  was  fully  con- 
vinced that  something  great  would  be  done  at 
the  conference. 

Next  day  Bishop  Asbury  opened  the  love- 
feast;  then  Brother  Whatcoat  spoke,  and  wnen 
he  had  done,  I  arose  and  told  them  my  expe- 
rience :  the  people  gave  great  attention,  and  when 
I  came  to  the  account  of  my  sanctification,  down 
dropped  one  of  the  preachers,  and  did  not  rise 
until  the  Lord  had  sanctified  his  soul.  1  then 
claimed  the  promises,  and  in  a  moment  the  house 
was  filled  with  cries  and  screeches,  and  wonderful 
shouts.  Several  went  among  the  people,  to  those 
whom  they  found  in  distress,  to  admonish,  ex- 
hort, and  pray  with  them.  Afterwards,  six  told 
me  that  God  had  sanctified  them  ;  and  seven,  I 
think,  that  (iod  had  justified  them.  Three  had 
to  be  carried  home  that  evening,  who  were  not 
able  to  go  themselves. 

After  conference,  I  went  to  my  appointment  in 
Newburg  circuit ;  I  called  at  a  Presbyterian 
elder's,  and  preached  in  his  house,  and  held  a 
love-feast  at  a  tavern,  where  we  had  a  powerful 
time;  four  or  five  were  sanctified,  and  three  or 
four  justified. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Field-Buries.?,  a  place  where 


152  A  Trick  of  the  Devil. 

there  never  had  heen  preaching;  here  God  laid 
to  his  helping  hand,  several  cried  aloud  for  mercy, 
while  the  sinners  outside  roved  round  the  house 
like  wolves;  after  they  were  a  little  pacified,  I 
dismissed  the  people. 

Next  day  I  went  on  to  my  appointment,  where 
I  found  a  clever  little  congregation,  and  one  of 
the  most  happy  old  men  that  I  had  ever  seen.  I 
preached  to  the  people,  and  had  as  happy  a  meet- 
ing as  ever  I  had;  for  if  the  Lord  had  not  with- 
held his  hand,  I  could  not  have  preached.  After 
preaching  I  met  the  class,  and  one  half  of  them 
lay  on  the  floor;  the  sinners  around  looked  like 
death,  and  I  exhorted  them  to  fly  to  Christ;  tel- 
ling them  that  they  need  not  say,  Who  shall  as- 
cend into  heaven  to  bring  him  down?  Or  who 
shall  descend  into  the  deep  to  bring  him  up  ? 
For  if  they  would  not  believe  this,  they  would 
not  believe  if  he  were  to  appear  in  a  flaming  fiery 
bush,  as  he  did  to  Moses. 

Every  time  I  preached  in  this  place,  we  had  a 
shout  in  the  camp.  One  day  an  old  Baptist  man 
said,  "You  have  stripped  me  of  every  principle 
I  had,  and  what  do  you  advise  me  to  do?" 
"Baddy,"  said  I,  "it  is  never  too  late  to  turn 
from  bad  to  good."  He  said,  "If  you  would 
always  stay  on  the  circuit,  1  would  join  with 
you."  "That,"  said  I,  "is  a  trick  of  the  devil; 
you  will  always  have  as  good  preachers  as  I." 
"Well,"  said  he,  "set  my  name  down."  He  de- 
sired to  have  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  and 
they  appointed  the  Friday  following.  When  I 
came  round  again,  they  told  me  that  it  was  the 
greatest  day  they  ever  had  seen,  that  the  slain 
lay  for  hours  on  the  floor. 


153 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Dispute  on  purity— Dispute  with  Quakers — Candles  go  out — 
Love-feast,  many  samtilied  and  justified— Woman  loses  the 
use  of  her  limbs  for  three  days — Black  despair — Wonder- 
ful shout. 

I  went  on  to  my  next  appointment  and 
preached,  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present  to 
heal;  some  professed  sanctification,  others  justi- 
fication, and  many  wept.  I  met  class  and  several 
joined  society,  and  among  the  rest  an  old  Presby- 
terian that  had  been  a  steady  attendant,  and 
nobody  thought  he  ever  would  join  us.  I  ex- 
amined him  closely  as  to  his  experience,  and  find- 
ing that  he  held  our  principles,  I  advised  the 
class  to  have  him  for  their  leader,  as  they  had  no 
suitable  person  among  them  for  that  station,  so 
he  was  put  in  leader. 

Next  day,  being  excessively  cold,  I  had  to  ride 
twelve  miles  to  my  appointment,  where  I  found 
a  clever  little  congregation,  and  a  Baptist  preacher 
with  them.  I  warmed  myself,  and  then  preached 
from  these  words:  "Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart, 
for  they  shall  see  God."  While  I  was  speaking, 
the  minister  appeared  to  be  quite  in  an  agony, 
he  was  so  angry:  notwithstanding,  God  blessed 
many  of  the  people. 

When  I  concluded,  the  minister  arose  and 
asked  me  if  the  meeting  was  ended.  I  said, 
"Yes."  He  then  said,  "As  a  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ,  I  cannot  but  contradict  what  has  been 
spoken.  It  is  true  the  words  of  your  text  are 
Christ's,  but  there  is  no  such  thing  in  this  life  as 
purity  of  heart;  fot  we  cannot  live  in  this  life 


1 54  Tlie  Lo-heres  and  Lo-theres. 


without  committing  sin,  and  you  spoke  as  though 
a  man  made  himself  pure  in  heart."  I  said,  "I 
appeal  to  these  people  in  what  way  and  manner 
I  preached.  First  I  showed,  that  no  man  by 
nature  was  pure  in  heart;  I  then  showed,  that 
•  man  was  justified  by  an  act  of  free  grace;  and  | 
afterwards,  that  he  was  made  pure  in  heart,  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto  him.  Now,  if  you 
are  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  preach  down  sin 
to  hell,  from  whence  it  came,  and  preach  up  holi- 
ness of  heart."  I  then  went  into  the  other 
room  and  called  the  class,  and  we  had  a  precious 
time  among  the  dear  people.  I  found  that  they 
did  believe,  that  it  was  their  privilege  to  be  made 
pure  in  heart. 

I  went  next  day  to  my  appointment,  and  preach- 
ing not  being  until  candle-light,  and  a  Quaker's 
meeting  being  in  sight,  I  thought  I  would  go  to 
the  Quaker's  meeting.  There  were  two  girls  and 
two  men  spoke;  one  of  the  young  men  I  thought 
spoke  feelingly,  but  as  for  the  others,  there  was 
no  religion  in  what  they  said  that  I  could  per- 
ceive. At  last  an  old  man  got  up,  and  leaning 
on  the  top  of  his  cane,  said,  "We  are  too  apt  to 
be  running  after  the  Lo-herrs  and  Lo-theres" 
and  so  went  on  with  such  like  strange  talk. 

When  their  meeting  broke  up,  I  took  an  op- 
portunity to  speak  to  the  young  man,  and  asked 
him  why  he  broke  off  so  soon,  for  I  knew  there 
was  more  where  that  came  from.  Said  he,  "I 
will  come  and  see  thee  in  the  evening."  I 
thanked  him,  and  told  him  I  should  be  glad  to 
have  some  discourse  with  him:  so  went  to  my 
appointment,  and  in  the  evening  preached,  and 
had  a  peaceable  waiting  upon  God.  In  my  dis- 
course I  told  the  people  that  the  scriptures  were 


Disputes  with  a  young  Quaker.  155 

the  standard,  and  if  our  experience  did  not  come 
up  to  that  it  was  not  genuine;  therefore  we  must 
try  ourselves  by  the  touchstone  of  truth.  One 
young  Quaker,  after  the  people  were  chiefly  gone 
out,  said,  "Did  I  understand  thee?"  "Why?" 
said  I.  "Did  I  not,"  said  he,  "hear  thee  say 
that  the  scriptures  were  the  word  of  God  ?" 
"Why,"  said  I,  "nobody  denies  that."  "Yes," 
said  he,  "I  do,  and  defy  thee  to  prove  it."  I 
then  began  with  John:  "In  the  beginning  was 
the  word,  and  the  word  was  with  God,  and  the 
word  was  God,"  &c.  "Now,"  said  I,  "my  dear, 
is  not  this  the  word  of  God  ?"  He  could  not 
deny  it.  "But,"  said  he,  "we,  as  a  people,  deny 
the  bible  being  the  word  of  God."  Next  n  .ru- 
ing an  old  preacher  came  to  see  me,  and  I  said  to 
him,  "One  of  your  young  men  surprised  me  last 
night."  "How  so?"  said  he.  "Why,"  said  I, 
"he  said  you,  as  a  people,  denied  the  bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God;  and  St.  Paul  says,  'All  scrip- 
ture is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,'  &c."  The 
old  man  looked  confused.  "  Why,"  says  he,  "we 
believe  the  scriptures  to  be  the  declarative  word 
of  God." 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment  and  preached 
to  the  people:  we  had  a  precious  melting  season; 
I  met  the  class,  and  we  had  a  comfortable  time 
among  the  dear  people  of  God. 

I  went  to  my  appointment  at  Brother  Ellison's, 
near  New  Windsor.  This  man  has  built  us  a 
preaching-house  at  his  own  expense,  and  a  pretty 
little  one  it  is.  He  took  me  into  a  back  room 
nnd  said,  "If  you  go  on  as  people  say  yon  do, 
you  will  drive  all  the  people  away,  for  which  I 
should  be  sorry;  for  I  have  a  great  regard  for 
your  society,  and  have  built  you  a  preaching- 


150 


The  Candles  become  dim. 


bouse."  I  told  him  we  must  leave  the  event  to 
(iod;  but  he  seemed  very  uneasy.  I  still  told 
him  that  we  would  leave  the  matter  with  God. 
There  were  in  class  at  that  time,  not  above  ten 
persons,  and  before  I  left  the  circuit  there  were 
above  forty.  Here  something  happened  one  even- 
ing very  uncommon ;  as  Brother  Brush  was 
preaching,  the  candles  on  a  sudden  became  dim, 
and  they  gradually  grew  dimmer  until  they  went 
entirely  out.  This  was  interpreted  many  ways, 
as  though  it  were  an  omen  of  some  strange  event. 
However,  it  might  readily  be  accounted  for  from 
natural  causes;  the  room  being  so  exceedingly 
close,  with  the  doors  and  windows  shut,  that  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  air  could  not  come  in.  Tho 
Inspiration  and  breath  of  the  people,  together 
inwith  the  burning  of  the  candles,  producing  so 
m great  a  dampness  or  contamination  of  the  air,  as 
t'  to  destroy  or  deaden  the  flammability,  and,  con. 
1  sequently,  the  candles  might  be  thus  extin- 
guished. 

I  had  told  the  people  that  I  would  preach  on 
predestination:  a  great  number  gathered,  and  I 
preached  accordingly;  many  were  stripped  of 
Calvinism,  and  two  joined  society;  one  of  them 
became  a  great  advocate  for  our  cause.  Here  we 
held  our  quarterly-meeting,  and  we  had  a  large 
congregation.  In  the  love-feast,  after  handing 
the  bread  and  water  about,  the  people  spoke  the 
dearest  of  justification  and  sanctitication,  in  point 
of  distinction  between  them,  of  any  I  had  heard 
in  those  parts.  About  thirty  had  professed  sanc- 
titication  from  the  time  I  went  on  the  circuit  till 
then. 

Here  Brother  Anthony  Turck  found  the  bless- 
ing.   At  this  meeting  about  six  or  seven  wen* 


A  woman  loses  the  use  of  her  limbs.  157 

sanctified,  and  as  many  justified.*  The  Lour  of 
preaching  coming  on,  the  preaching-room  could 
by  no  means  contain  the  people,  we  therefore  had 
to  retire  to  a  large  barn.  Brother  Brush  preached, 
and  after  him  an  exhortation  was  given.  After 
meeting  I  went  to  an  appointment  at  Newburg 
Town,  and  preached  to  a  pretty  large  congrega- 
tion, chiefly  Presbyterians.  I  met  class,  and 
found  them  very  lively  and  happy  in  the  way  of 
salvation. 

Next  morning  I  went  on  to  my  appointment  to 
S.  Fowler's;  he  is  a  precious  man,  and  his  wife 
is  a  daughter  of  Abraham.  I  preached  from 
Revelation  v.  1 — 5,  and  the  Lord  attended  the 
word  with  great  power;  many  cried  out,  and  fell 
to  the  floor;  and  several,  when  they  came  to, 
professed  that  God  had  sanctified  their  souls. 
One  woman  lost  the  use  of  her  limbs  for  three 
days;  her  husband  wept  much,  thinking  he  had 
lost  his  wife;  however,  at  the  end  of  three  days 
she  came  to,  and  was  as  happy  as  she  could  live 
in  the  body.  At  this  place  we  hardly  ever  failed 
having  a  powerful  time  of  the  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  of  God. 

The  following  day,  I  preached  at  my  next  ap- 
pointment; some  cried  aloud,  others  fell  to  the 
floor,  and  many  fled  for  fear.  We  had  a  most 
powerful  time,  and  two  joined  society.  Next 
morning  an  old  Irish  woman  came  to  me,  being 
convinced  of  her  backslidings,  to  know  what  she 
should  do  to  be  saved;  "For,"  said  she,  "I  knew 


*  The  transcriber  has  been  informed,  from  good  authority, 
since  the  death  of  Mr.  Abbott,  that  sixteen  souls  were  that 
day  sanctified— instead  of  six  or  seven— and  a  much  larger 
number  justified. 


158  A  backsliding  Irish  woman. 


the  Lord  to  be  precious  to  my  soul  about  fifteen 
years;  but  in  coming  from  Ireland  I  sinned  and 
lost  it,  and  from  that  time  I  have  never  had  one 
ray  of  divine  love,  although  twenty-five  years 
since."  I  said,  "You  are  out  of  hell,  call  upon 
the  Lord  to  have  mercy  on  you."  After  exhort- 
ing her,  she  went  away;  the  next  news  I  heard 
of  her  she  was  in  black  despair,  and  so  continued. 
I  went  to  see  her,  and  prayed  with  her,  but  all 
to  no  purpose:  she  departed  this  life  in  about 
three  months  after. 

I  preached  in  the  evening,  and  we  had  a  pre- 
cious melting  time:  the  woman  of  the  house  said 
she  never  had  seen  such  a  time  before.  I  spoke 
from  these  words,  "Buy  the  truth,  and  sell  it 
not." 

I  went  next  morning  to  another  appointment, 
with  the  man  of  the  house  and  his  wife;  they 
had  been  old  Moravians.  I  preached  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  God  attended  the  word  with  power; 
some  cried,  others  shouted,  and  several  fell  upon 
the  floor.  Upon  the  whole,  we  had  a  wonderful 
shout  in  the  camp:  some  opposers  got  very  an- 
gry and  ran  away.  I  met  class  and  we  had  a 
heavenly  time;  here  the  old  Moravian  man  and 
woman  both  got  very  much  tried.  She  told  the 
people  that  she  hoped  the  Lord  would  give  me  to 
see  my  error  before  I  died  ;  but  blessed  be  the 
Lord,  he  gave  them  to  see  their  error  before  I 
came  round  again. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Woman  married  out  of  the  society — He  gets  up  in  the  night 
to  pray  with  a  family — Remarkable  occurrence — State  of 
the  circuit  —  Deist  iu  a  storm  at  sea— New  York  Con- 
ference—Dead love-feast. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  and  we  had  a 
small  congregation  in  a  Baptist  settlement,  where 
some  fruit  appeared.  I  met  the  class,  which  was 
small,  but  they  were  a  precious  people. 

Next  day  I  went  to  another  appointment,  and 
preached :  some  cried  for  mercy.  I  met  the  class 
and  had  a  happy  time. 

Next  day  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  gave  me 
great  liberty:  many  cried  aloud.  In  the  class  I 
found  a  precious  people. 

Next  day  my  appointment  was  at  Brother 
Dayton's,  where  the  meeting-house  was  built  by 
the  Baptists  and  Methodists,  each  were  to  take 
their  turns ;  but  the  Baptist  preacher  got  angry, 
and  said  he  would  not  preach  there  any  more  if 
the  Methodists  did.  I  preached,  the  people  seemed 
very  attentive,  and  much  tendered.  I  met  the 
class,  which  was  large,  and  we  had  a  precious 
time.  A  small  dispute  arose  here:  a  young  wo- 
man had  married  out  of  society,  and  I  told  her 
to  come  forward  and  answer  the  charge;  and  she 
said,  that  she  thought  we  would  not  turn  her  out 
of  society  for  marrying  a  member  of  another 
church.  I  told  her  no,  if  he  were  a  regular  ap- 
proved member  of  another  church.  She  said,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Quaker  society  ;  and  so  the 
matter  ended.  I  then  went  through  the  class, 
r.idny  spoke  feelingly,  and  some  that  had  lately 


160  A  young  woman  in  sore  distress  of  soul. 

received  large  manifestations  of  the  grace  of  God, 
seemed  altogether  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  and  before  the 
people  gathered,  I  was  telling  some  present  what 
had  happened  in  my  travels,  and  that  I  had  once 
taken  a  man  by  the  hand,  and  said,  "God  out  of 
Christ  is  a  consuming  fire,"  which  fastened  upon 
him,  so  that  after  he  went  home  and  was  in  bed, 
in  the  night  he  arose  from  his  bed,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  damned,  as  he  was  out  of 
Christ.  However,  he  never  gave  over  struggling 
and  praying,  till  God  blessed  his  soul.  While  I 
was  telling  this,  a  young  woman  came  in,  and  it 
fastened  on  her  heart,  so  that  she  went  home  im- 
mediately in  sore  distress  of  soul.  I  preached  to 
the  people,  and  after  dismissing  them,  met  the 
class,  we  had  a  precious  melting  time,  and  many 
of  them  spoke  very  feelingly  of  the  dealings  of 
God  to  their  souls. 

After  dismissing  the  class,  the  man  of  the 
house  said  to  me,  let  us  go  and  see  the  girl  that 
went  away  before  preaching ;  we  went,  and  found 
the  house  full  of  people ;  I  preached  to  them,  and 
many  hearts  were  tendered,  for  the  Spirit  of  God 
attended  the  word. 

After  meeting,  I  was  invited  to  stay  all  night 
which  I  consented  to.  I  lay  in  the  same  room 
where  the  old  people  were,  and  in  the  dead  hour 
of  the  night  I  heard  the  old  woman  cry  out, 
"Hannah  !  Hannah  I"  I  listened,  and  soon  heard 
the  voice  of  prayer  in  another  room.  I  said, 
"Mammy,  let  her  alone,  she  will  do  well 
enough,"  for  she  was  praying  to  God  for  mercy. 
However,  the  old  woman  continued  to  call  and  cry 
out,  until  the  girls  came  running  into  the  room, 
saying,  "Mammy,  pray  for  us  !    Daddy  pray  for 


A  whole  family  brought  over  to  God.  161 


us!  or  we  shall  be  damned  this  night!"  They 
arose  from  their  beds  and  began  to  pray.  I 
suppose  the  old  man  had  never  prayed  before 
since  God  made  him.  The  old  woman  said, 
"We  must  have  the  preacher  up."  But  by  that 
time  I  was  half-dressed ;  I  went  to  prayer,  and 
believe  the  girls  would  have  found  peace  that 
night,  but  I  had  no  one  to  help  me.  I  prayed 
until  I  was  exhausted.  However,  the  old  man, 
his  wife,  three  daughters,  and  two  sons,  were  all 
brought  in  shortly  after.  Paul  may  plant,  and 
Apollos  water,  but  God  giveth  the  increase. 
All  glory  be  to  him  alone. 

Next  day  I  went  to  my  appointment  at  Brother 
O.'s,  and  preached  to  a  large  congregation  in  the 
barn  ;  God  attended  the  word  with  power.  One 
old  Presbyterian  grew  very  angry,  and  said  I 
ought  to  be  kicked  out  of  the  place.  An  old 
woman  stepped  up  to  him  and  said,  "I  am  a  Bap- 
tist, and  you  are  a  Presbyterian,  and  if  ever  I 
heard  the  truth  preached,  I  have  heard  it  this 
day."  I  went  to  the  house,  but  the  old  man 
seemed  mad  enough  to  injure  me. 

Here  we  had  made  great  improvement  among 
the  Germans.  Brother  G.  D.  had  got  among 
them.  We  had  a  very  comfortable  waiting  in 
class  before  God,  and  some  joined  society. 

It  was  now  time  to  repair  to  our  quarterly- 
meeting,  which  was  held  at  Brother  Dayton's. 
Brother  Brush  preached  on  Saturday,  afterwards 
some  exhortations  were  given.  On  Sunday,  in 
love-feast,  after  handing  about  the  bread  and 
water,  the  people  spoke  feelingly,  considering 
their  inconvenient  situation  in  a  private  house, 
with  three  or  four  rooms  on  a  floor,  a'ld  a  great 
number  in  the  place. 


162 


He  relates  a  narrative. 


Here  I  will  relate  an  occurrence  which  I  think 
is  worth  noticing.  Brother  Woolsey's  son 
Thomas,  and  two  of  his  cousins  with  him,  went 
to  the  barn,  and  there  wrestled  with  God  in  fer- 
vent prayer  some  time,  afterward  came  to  the 
house,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  upon 
them  all  three  in  such  a  manner  that  they  fell  to 
the  floor,  shouting  and  praising  God,  and  they 
continued  till  almost  day.  God  sanctified  another 
man  while  he  lay  in  his  bed,  as  he  told  me  after- 
wards. Also,  Elijah  and  Chloe,  son  and  daugh- 
ter of  Brother  Woolsey,  received  the  blessing  of 
sanctification ;  there  were  now  five  in  two  fami- 
lies, that  professed  to  enjoy  that  blessing.  They 
set  up  a  prayer-meeting,  the  people  attended,  and 
the  Lord  blessed  them  in  it :  ten,  twelve,  or 
fifteen,  have  been  justified  in  one  meeting,  and 
several  were  sanctified. 

While  I  rode  on  that  circuit,  I  took  between 
eighty  and  ninety  into  society,  and  saw  thirty 
souls  sanctified  ;  but  I  believe  more  than  double 
that  number  were  sanctified  on  the  circuit  while 
I  rode  on  there.  When  I  left  it,  the  work  was 
going  on  with  as  great  rapidity  as  ever. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  here  to  relate  a  narrative 
that  I  had  from  a  pious  woman,  concerning  her 
brother.  He  was  a  young  man  who  had  openly 
and  publicly  espoused  deistical  principles,  assert- 
ing that  there  was  no  place  of  future  punishment, 
or,  in  other  words,  no  hell.  His  conduct  corres- 
ponding with  his  principles,  and  being  possessed 
of  a  very  handsome  estate,  he  soon  wasted  his 
constitution  by  intemperance ;  finding  it  decaying 
very  fast,  he  was  advised  to  try  the  sea,  in  order 
to  repair  it  again.  Accordingly  he  took  a  passage 
with  au  old  pious  Presbyterian  captain  that  kept 


A  Deist  in  a  Storm  at  Sea. 


up  prayer  on  board,  and  with  whom  he  often  dis- 
puted the  point,  asserting  that  he  did  firmly  be- 
lieve that  there  was  no  hell  or  place  of  future 
punishment.  However,  they  had  not  been  long 
at  sea  before  the  Lord  sent  down  a  mighty  tem- 
pest as  he  did  on  Jonah.  All  human  probability 
of  surviving  was  taken  away;  the  captain,  per- 
ceiving their  imminent  danger,  began  to  exhort 
them  to  prepare  to  meet  God,  when,  to  his  great 
surprise,  the  first  man  that  bawled  out  was  Mr. 
No-Heller.  The  captain,  being  a  steady  firm 
man,  turned  to  him  and  said,  "What  is  the  mat- 
ter with  you  ?  I  hope  you  are  not  afraid  to  die. 
I  thought  you  told  me  that  you  verily  believed 
that  there  was  no  hell."  "Oh!"  said  he,  all 
bathed  with  tears  and  wringing  his  hands,  "it 
will  do  well  enough  to  talk  about  on  land;  but 
it  will  not  do  for  a  storm  at  sea." 

However,  it  pleased  God  to  spare  them,  and 
bring  them  all  safe  home  again;  and  he,  finding 
himself  a  little  recovered,  began  to  be  ashamed 
of  his  testimony  at  sea,  and  soon  fell  into  his  for- 
mer excesses  again,  which  brought  on  his  old  com- 
plaints. He  was  reduced  to  a  sick  bed,  and  all 
hopes  being  gone  of  his  recovery,  he  began  to 
seek  God  in  earnest,  and  the  Lord  in  his  infinite 
mercy  spoke  peace  to  his  soul.  He  continued 
happy  in  his  love,  exhorting  them  that  came  in 
his  way  against  all  such  diabolical  principles.  He 
departed  this  life  in  a  transport  of  joy,  and  I 
trust,  rests  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling, 
and  the  weary  shall  for  ever  be  at  rest.  Oh !  that 
every  deist  and  unbeliever  were  convinced,  that 
his  principles  will  not  do  for  a  dying  bed  or  judg- 
ment day!  The  most  heroic  infidels  tremble  at 
the  approach  of  death. 


164      Attends  Conference  at  New  York. 

I  set  out  for  conference,  and  came  down  to 
General  Copelin's,  where  I  preached,  and  the 
power  of  the  Lord  attended  the  word :  many 
wept,  and  we  had  a  precious  time. 

I  went  on  and  overtook  Brother  G.  and  we 
rode  in  company  to  New  York.  In  our  conver- 
sation together,  he  asked  me  if  I  desired  we 
might  have  such  a  meeting  as  we  had  there  the 
last  conference.  I  told  him  I  did,  and  that  we 
might  have  a  much  greater.  "Why,"  said  he, 
"there  were  but  few  individuals  who  liked  it." 
Oh !  how  this  struck  me,  that  he,  who  was  once 
so  active  in  it,  should  now  appear  to  be  so  much 
the  reverse.  However,  I  told  him  that  it  was  of 
God,  and  that  I  did  desire  to  see  a  much  greater 
work.  But  I  soon  discovered  that  there  would 
be  nothing  great  done,  there  was  such  a  division 
of  sentiment  among  the  preachers  about  the  work. 
We  had  some  love-feasts  as  we  passed  along:  Bro- 
ther G.  opened  them,  and  many  spoke  their  ex- 
periences. I  observed  that  on  this  journey  I  was 
not  called  upon  either  to  preach,  pray,  or  exhort. 
However,  this  was  no  great  cross  to  me,  as  I  was 
much  broken  down,  just  coming  off  my  circuit. 

We  went  into  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the 
next  day  conference  was  opened :  we  went  on 
very  lovingly  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  from 
day  to  day,  until  it  came  to  the  appointment  of 
our  love-feast.  Then  it  was  brought  on  the  car- 
pet by  Brother  R.  Cloud,  concerning  the  love- 
feast  at  our  last  conference.  He  said  that  I 
halloed,  and  bawled,  and  cried  fire,  and  scared 
the  people !  Then  Brother  G.  got  up  and  seconded 
him,  and  opposed  the  work  with  all  the  powers 
he  had.  Brother  J.  Lee  said  he  was  happy  in 
the  love-feast.    The  Bishop  said  he  did  not  want 


A  dead  and  lifeless  Love-feast.  165 

to  hear  them  hallo,  and  shout,  and  bawl,  Iwit  he 
w  anted  to  hear  them  speak  their  experiences.  I 
said,  "Then,  perhaps,  I  had  better  not  go  to  love- 
feast."  I  was  not  in  the  least  angry,  but  I  was 
grieved  in  soul  for  the  cause. 

Our  appointment  was  up  at  the  new  meeting- 
house, and  abundance  of  people  gathered.  The 
Bishop  opened  the  love-feast,  and  when  the  bread 
and  water  had  gone  round,  and  the  people  were 
at  liberty  to  speak,  not  one  spoke  for  some  time. 
Then  Brother  Garretson  got  up  and  exhorted  the 
people,  and  then  Brother  Cloud  exhorted  them 
likewise;  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Among  the 
several  hundreds  present,  there  were  but  a  few 
that  spoke.  For  my  part,  I  kept  silent  under 
great  depression  of  mind,  not  feeling  much  faith 
or  liberty  of  spirit.  After  some  exhortations, 
the  meeting  broke  up. 

Many  of  the  friends  afterwards  told  me  they 
felt  death  in  their  souls,  and  came  to  me  to  know 
what  was  the  matter.  I  told  them  simply,  that 
Brother  Cloud  had  said  that  there  was  no  good 
done  at  the  last  conference  love-feast.  But  there 
were,  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  six  who  told 
me  that  they  were  sanctified,  and  seven,  that  they 
were  justified  at  that  love-feast. 

Brother  Morrel  said,  that  this  last  love-feast 
was  the  most  dead  and  lifeless  love-feast  that  ever 
had  been  in  York  before.  I  understood  that  the 
preachers,  in  discoursing  together,  acknowledged 
that  they  had  done  wrong  in  what  they  had  done 
and  said  on  the  subject.  Oh!  how  careful  ought 
the  preachers  to  be,  how  thev  censure  or  speak 
against  a  work,  merely  because  there  are  some 
things  attending  it  which  are  not  exactly  agree- 
able to  their  views  or  wishes.    Great  harm  may 


166 


A  Conk-Shell. 


be  done  by  unguarded  expressions  or  oppositions. 
We  should  learn  to  bear  and  forbear,  and  to  make 
every  necessary  allowance. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Appointed  to  Long-Island — Conk  shell — Dispute — A  revival 
— Laughers  stopped — Quarterly-meeting — Great  work  at 
the  love-feast,  but  stopped. 

I  received  my  appointment  on  Long-Island, 
and  accordingly  took  my  station.  The  next  day 
I  preached  to  a  small  congregation  with  life  and 
power;  the  Lord  attended  the  word  with  success, 
some  young  ladies  were  cut  to  the  heart,  and  one 
gentleman  cried  out  for  mercy,  and  before  meeting 
ended  he  found  peace  and  joined  society. 

Next  day  I  went  to  New-Town.  Here  we  had 
a  preaching-house  and  a  few  people,  but  very 
dead.  I  preached,  and  saw  but  little  fruit;  I 
met  the  society,  and  exhorted  them  to  get  more 
religion,  and  urged  them  to  seek  sanctification. 
This,  I  believe,  is  the  oldest  Methodist  society 
on  the  Island. 

I  then  went  to  my  appointment  at  Jamaica,  a 
very  wicked  little  town,  and  preached  in  the 
evening  in  the  Free  Mason's  Lodge-Room,  a  very 
convenient  place.  I  spoke  with  freedom,  but 
some  of  the  children  of  the  wicked  one  being 
vexed,  blew  a  conk  shell  round  the  house  while 
I  was  speaking.  I  met  the  little  class,  which 
was  only  three  in  number.  I  found  that  their 
eyes  were  in  part  opened,  but  they  knew  not 
God. 

I  went  to  my  appointment  at  a  clever  Presby- 
terian's; his  wife  was  also  a  clever  woman,  but 


Hard-hearted  sinners  and  backsliders.  1C7 

they  knew  not  God.  I  preached,  and  the  Lord 
touched  the  heart  of  their  daughter;  she  cried 
for  mercy,  and  continued  so  till  the  Lord  set  her 
soul  at  liberty.  I  met  the  class,  and  several 
spoke  feelingly  of  the  dealings  of  God  with  their 
souls. 

Next  day  I  met  class  not  far  from  Rockway 
meeting-house,  and  had  a  middling  time,  con- 
sidering the  society  had  been  on  the  decline  for 
two  years. 

Next  day  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation, 
and  there  seemed  to  be  some  little  move  among 
the  people;  however,  I  hope  to  see  better  times. 
I  then  went  to  an  appointment  at  Brother  Ray- 
nor's,  at  Hampstead- South,  where  I  preached 
with  some  degree  of  freedom,  but  cannot  say  with 
as  much  life  and  power  as  usual.  After  preaching 
I  met  class,  and  had  a  tolerable  waiting  before 
God.  Some  spoke  feelingly  of  the  things  of  God, 
and  others  were  very  tender. 

I  went  next  day  to  a  little  town  called  Jerusa- 
lem (but  not  the  city  of  the  great  King),  and 
preached  to  a  small  congregation  of  hard-hearted 
sinners  and  backsliders.  After  preaching,  I  met 
class,  which  consisted  of  about  half-a-dozen;  here 
it  seemed  dead  work.  I  retired  to  a  back  room, 
and  poured  out  my  soul  before  God  for  them. 
Then  I  went  to  the  Brush  plains,  and  preached 
to  about  a  dozen ;  this  was  hard  work.  I  dis- 
missed the  people,  and  met  the  class.  Here  I 
found  a  dear  old  German  and  his  wife. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  my  appointment  at 
Z.  Nail's,  and  preached  to  a  small  congregation. 
Here  I  endeavoured  to  give  old  Calvinism  a 
stroke.  I  tarried  all  night  with  Brother  Nail. 
There  being  no  class  here,  I  desired  Brother  N. 


IG8      Disputes  with  a  Baptist  preacher. 


to  give  out  preaching  in  two  different  places, 
against  I  came  round  again. 

I  went  on  to  my  appointment  at  Patchog,  and 
bad  a  clever  congregation.  Here  was  a  meeting- 
house built  for  the  use  of  every  society.  I  took  my 
text,  "Examine  yourselves,  whether  ye  be  in  the 
faith;  prove  your  own  selves,"  &c.  2  Cor.  xiii.  5. 
I  endeavoured  to  show  the  necessity  of  so  doing, 
because  many  false  teachers  had  gone  out  into 
the  woild,  teaching  damnable  heresies,  denying 
the  Lord  that  bought  them.  A  Baptist  preacher 
being  present,  appeared  to  get  angry,  and  rose 
up  and  contradicted  me.  I  told  him  to  sit  down, 
and  I  would  talk  to  him  by  and  by.  But  it  was 
not  long  before  he  rose  and  contradicted  me 
again.  I  desired  him  to  sit  down  till  I  had  done, 
for  it  was  beneath  a  gentleman  to  act  so.  He 
then  sat  down  iind  was  quiet.  I  went  on  and 
finished  my  discourse,  and  dismissed  the  people. 
I  then  told  him  I  was  ready  to  hear  him  ;  he 
might  rise  and  clear  up  what  he  had  said.  He 
spoke,  and  after  he  had  done,  I  endeavoured  to 
clear  up  what  I  had  said  ;  and  added,  "Tell  your 
neighbours  and  those  around  you,  that  this  day 
four  weeks,  I  intend  to  preach  a  sermon  on  pre- 
destination." I  then  went  home  with  Mr.  S.  at 
Blue-Point;  he  was  an  advocate  for  religion,  but 
a  stiff  Antinomian. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  Mr.  Leeke's,  a  Pres- 
byterian, at  Middle-Island,  and  preached  to  an 
attentive  little  congregation,  who  had  very  little 
religion  among  them.  I  asked  Mr.  Lei  ke,  what 
sort  of  people  I  had  to  preach  to  next  day.  Ho 
told  me  they  were  all  Calvin ists,  and  in  a  Baptist 
meeting-house.  Said  I,  "How  long  have  our 
preachers  preached  there?"     "About  three  or 


A  Preacher's  daughter  under  conviction.  169 

four  years,"  said  he.  "What,"  said  I,  "and  no 
converts?"  "No,"  said  he.  "This  will  never 
do;  I  shall  not  preach  long  there,"  said  I,  "with- 
out some  fruit." 

I  went  next  day  to  my  appointment  at  the 
Baptist  meeting-house.  Here  I  found  a  clever 
congregation,  to  whom  I  preached.  After  meet- 
ing, a  numher  came  round  me,  and  said  that  1 
had  given  them  all  to  the  devil.  "Given  you  all 
to  the  devil  !  why  what  sort  of  people  are  you," 
said  I,  "that  I  should  give  you  to  the  devil?  I 
give  no  Christians  to  the  devil."  I  told  them 
that  that  day  four  weeks  I  would  preach  a  sermon 
on  predestination. 

I  went  to  my  appointment  at  Brother  Brush's, 
at  Wene-Cromack  :  there  we  had  a  preaching- 
house,  and  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation 
with  much  liberty.  After  preaching  I  met  the 
class,  and  found  some  souls  happy  in  God.  This 
is  the  oldest  society  we  have  on  Long-Island,  ex- 
cepting the  one  at  New-Town. 

Next  morning  I  went  to  my  appointment, 
where  I  found  a  small  congregation,  and  had  a 
precious  time  both  in  preaching  and  in  class. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Brother  B.'s;  some  wept 
under  the  word.  After  preaching  I  met  the 
little  class,  and  endeavoured  to  press  them  to  seek 
after  sanctificntion,  hut  it  seemed  to  them  as  an 
idle  tale. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  the 
power  of  God  struck  a  Baptist  preacher's  daugh- 
ter, and  she  cried  for  mercy;  another  voting 
woman  did  the  same.  The  preacher's  daughter 
went  home  saying,  "That  I  preached  hell  and 
damnation,  and  that  there  was  no  mercy  for  her." 
I  told  the  people  it  M  as  not  our  doctrine  at  all, 


170 


The  wicked  sound  their  horn. 


nor  any  thing  like  it.  We  preach  free  grace  and 
free  mercy  to  penitent  sinners.  The  other,  after 
some  prayers,  found  peace,  and  in  class  joined 
society;  we  had  a  precious  time. 

Next  day  I  went  on  to  another  appointment, 
had  a  small  congregation,  and  ahout  fourteen 
or  fifteen  members  of  society.  After  preaching 
I  met  class,  they  spoke  very  feelingly  of  the 
dealings  of  God  with  their  souls.  I  then  went 
to  Brother  Cole's,  and  met  class  in  the  evening; 
there  we  had  a  powerful  time,  many  spoke 
feelingly,  and  we  had  a  great  meeting. 

I  went  next  day  to  the  paper-mill  at  Hamp- 
stead-Harbour,  and  preached  with  great  freedom  ; 
God  attended  the  word  with  power,  and  many 
wept.  I  met  class,  and  had  a  very  precious 
time. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Sister  Serring's  (an  old 
woman  at  Serring-Town),  and  preached  in  the 
meeting-house  to  a  very  attentive  congregation, 
and  met  class  :  they  spoke  of  the  dealings  of  God 
to  their  souls,  and  I  was  happy  in  my  own  soul. 
Here  Mr.  G.'s  daughter  asked  me  to  come  to 
preach  at  her  father's.  I  thanked  her,  and  told 
her  to  have  it  given  out  in  four  weeks.  I  went 
on  to  my  appointment  at  Jamaica,  and  preached 
with  life  and  power.  Two  women  fell  to  the 
floor;  the  wicked  sounded  their  horn  round  the 
house;  however,  this  did  not  hinder  our  meeting; 
two  were  brought  into  covenant. 

I  went  to  Mr.  C.'s,  and  preached  to  a  wicked 
set  at  candle-light;  here  I  endeavoured  to  frus- 
trate old  Calvin.  I  then  went  home  with  the 
class-leader,  found  him  to  be  a  Calvinist,  and 
that  he  was  very  much  disquieted  and  offended. 
From  thence  I  went  over  to  York,  and  told  the 


An  old  Negro  receives  the  blessing.      1 71 


Yorkers  that  he  was  no  Methodist,  and  that  I 
would  not  preach  there  any  more  while  he  was 
in  society.  I  then  returned,  and  went  to  the 
place  where  I  began  my  circuit.  Here,  while  I 
rode  this  time  round  the  circuit,  there  were  four 
or  five  added. 

Next  day  I  went  to  New-Town,  where  I  found 
Brother  M'D.  who  had  removed  there  from  the 
Jerseys.  I  put  him  in-  as  class-leader  over  the 
black  people.  He  held  prayer-meetings  from  house 
to  house,  and  a  revival  soon  took  place,  though 
not  without  some  opposition  from  the  dead  or 
lukewarm  Methodists.  However,  I  told  him  to 
go  on.  Here,  while  I  was  preaching,  God  laid 
to  his  helping  hand,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the 
camp;  and  the  Lord  laid  his  hand  on  an  old 
negro  man,  who  shook  for  about  one  hour,  and 
then  professed  to  have  received  the  blessing  of  a 
pure  heart;  he  had  been  in  the  way  of  religion 
about  thirty  years. 

I  went  to  .Jamaica,  and  Brother  Woolsey  met 
me  there.  I  had  very  strange  feelings,  and  re- 
tired in  secret;  Brother  W.  retired  also,  and 
when  he  came  back  he  said,  "  I  have  had  very 
strange  feelings  that  I  cannot  account  for,  un- 
less something  great  is  to  be  done  this  evening." 
A  certain  gentleman's  daughter,  about  seventeen 
or  eighteen,  a  cripple,  who  had  been  brought 
there  in  a  little  waggon,  also  said  she  had 
strange  feelings  that  she  could  not  account  for. 
I  preached,  and  the  people  kept  laughing  and 
talking  at  a  most  wonderful  wicked  rate  all  the 
time.  When  I  had  done,  I  desired  Brother  T. 
Woolsey  to  give  an  exhortation ;  but  they  talked 
and  laughed  louder  than  ever.  I  sat  down,  and 
besought  God,  with  all  the  faith  I  had,  for  help; 


172       Great  gathering  of  the  Grandees. 


all  at  once  I  felt  my  bair  rise  with  the  power  of 
God:  immediately  I  cried  out  for  God  to  strike 
them  down  to  the  floor  !  With  that  they  tumbled 
over  the  benches,  and  one  over  another,  and  ran 
and  hurried  out  as  fast  as  they  could,  and  never 
stopped  till  they  were  out  in  the  street. 

The  next  meeting  we  had  there,  the  rumour 
having  spread,  we  had  all  the  grandees  of  the 
town;  it  was  on  a  day  that  they  had  been  running 
their  horses,  and  two  horses  had  been  killed  by 
running  one  against  the  other,  and  the  riders  had 
like  to  have  shared  the  same  fate,  but  in  a  few 
weeks  they  recovered.  I  preached  to  the  people, 
and  the  mob  threw  stones  and  broke  the  windows; 
one  stone  weighed  seven  pounds,  but  it  happened 
to  hit  the  casement,  and  so  hurt  nobody.  I  ad- 
vised  Brother  Dudley  to  set  a  watch,  and  en- 
deavour to  find  the  wicked  unprincipled  sinners 
out.  It  may  be  observed,  that  no  one  possessing 
the  principle  of  a  man,  will  ever  willingly  and 
deliberately  disttirb  a  religious  society  in  its  ex- 
ercises of  public  or  private  worship.  They  are 
the  beasts  of  the  people,  in  want  of  breeding, 
civility,  and  religion.  May  the  Lord  pity,  and 
have  mercy  on  them. 

Next  day  I  was  conversing  with  Brother  Dud- 
ley on  the  subject,  and  told  him  we  were  in  a  free 
country,  and  it  would  never  do  to  be  so  served; 
while  I  was  speaking,  in  came  the  sheriff,  being 
very  angry  about  the  usage  we  had  received,  and 
said  he  was  going  after  the  disturbers.  He 
mounted  his  horse  and  off  he  went,  and  soon 
brought  one  of  them  before  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  he  was  fined  five  pounds.  The  others  came 
and  acknowledged  their  faults,  and  we  forgave 
them;  judging  that  the  fine  of  the  first  man 


Great  rejoicing  at  a  Love-feast. 


173 


might  suffice  for  the  present,  as  a  warning  to  the 
others,  and  being  in  hopes  that  as  they  were 
humbled,  they  would  do  so  no  more.  Here,  not- 
withstanding the  malice  of  wicked  men  and  devils, 
we  formed  a  society  of  nine  persons,  who  all  pro- 
fessed faith  in  Christ  before  I  left  the  circuit. 

I  went  on  to  my  appointment  at  Rock-way, 
which  was  the  time  of  our  uuarterlv-meeting. 
I  preached  on  Saturday,  and  some  others  gave 
exhortations.  On  Sunday  morning  we  opened 
our  love-feast;  and  after  handing  the  bread  and 
water  about,  many  spoke  feelingly  of  the  deal- 
ings of  God  to  their  souls.  After  love-feast,  I 
preached,  and  the  Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand, 
and  sent  the  truth  home  to  the  hearts  of  the 
people,  with  the  energy  of  his  holy  Spirit;  some 
fell  to  the  floor;  some  ran  to  the  door;  some  fell 
over  the  benches;  some  cried  aloud  for  mercy; 
others  were  rejoicing  in  God  their  Redeemer,  and 
a  number  lay  about  the  floor,  under  the  operation 
of  the  mighty  power  of  God,  as  dead  men  and 
women.  There  being  a  Quaker  preacher  present, 
when  he  saw  many  about  to  run  off,  he  arose  and 
exhorted  the  people  not  to  go,  nor  be  scared, 
adding,  "It  is  the  power  of  God:  the  Lord  is  in 
this  place."  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  he  has  some 
witnesses  for  Jesus  among  them,  and  would  to 
God  there  were  more  such.  I  continued  to  speak 
until  I  was  spent,  and  unable  to  speak  any  more; 
I  then  stepped  out  of  the  stand,  and  Brother  P. 
took  my  place,  and  in  a  short  space,  the  people 
were  quiet,  and  not  one  was  to  be  heard  in  all  the 
congregation,  crying  to  God  for  mercy  :  the  ene- 
mies of  truth  then  said,  "That  Abbott  had 
raised  the  devil,  but  P.  had  laid  him  again." 
After  the  exhortation,  we  concluded  the  meeting. 


174 


CHAPTER  X. 

Glorious  meeting  among  the  Africans  and  Indians — A  lunatic 
— Indian  Woman's  experience— Ruth  Jones — Disputes — 
Quarterly  meeting— Conference — A  preacher  down. 

On  Monday  I  went  to  my  appointment,  and 
preached  to  a  hard-hearted  people;  but  I  had 
liberty  in  speaking,  and  hope  some  good  seed 
was  sown.  After  meeting,  an  African  asked  me 
if  I  would  go  to  their  meeting,  which  consisted  of 
Indians  and  Africans,  who  professed  themselves 
to  be  congregationers:  I  told  him  I  would;  and 
accordingly  Brother  N.  and  I  went.  The  man 
who  had  given  me  the  invitation,  told  me  that 
they  knew  nothing  of  our  hymns,  and  requested 
me  to  tell  them  to  sing  their  own.  When  we 
arrived  at  the  place,  we  found  them  gathered; 
accordingly,  I  told  them  to  sing  their  own 
hymns;  they  did  so:  and  when  they  had  done,  I 
kneeled  down  to  prayer,  and  some  cried  out, 
and  others  fell  to  the  floor.  When  I  arose,  I 
gave  an  exhortation,  and  many  fell  to  the  floor; 
some  cried  aloud  for  mercy,  and  others  clapped 
their  hands  for  joy,  shouting  Glory  to  God !  so 
that  the  noise  might  be  heard  afar  off.  I  was  as 
happy  among  these  Indians  and  Africans,  as  I 
could  live  in  the  body.  God  is  no  respecter  of 
persons;  but  all  them  that  fear  him  and  work 
righteousness,  of  every  nation,  are  accepted  of 
him.  This  meeting  continued  for  some  hours; 
at  length  the  Lord  in  a  measure  withdrew  his 
Spirit,  so  we  parted. 

I  went  next  day  to  S.  Abbott's,  a  number  both 
of  Africans  and  Indians  attended,  that  I  had  seen 


A  woman  deranged.  175 


the  day  before  at  their  own  meeting.  I  preached, 
and  the  Lord  attended  the  word  with  power; 
some  of  the  whites  cried  out,  and  many  of  the 
coloured  people  did  likewise.  After  preaching  I 
gave  them  an  invitation  to  stay  in  class,  they  did 
so;  after  speaking  to  the  whites,  I  spoke  to  them, 
and  many  of  them  testified  clearly  of  the  gracious 
dealings  of  God  with  their  souls.  This  was  a 
new  place,  where  preaching  had  never  been  before 
I  came  to  the  circuit;  now  I  had  thirteen  joined 
in  class,  and  the  most  of  them  professed  faith. 

Here  something  strange  turned  up,  which  I 
will  relate.  A  next-door-neighbour  was  deranged 
in  her  understanding,  which  was  occasioned,  as  it 
was  thought,  by  an  Indian  girl,  who  belonged  to 
her,  hanging  herself;  the  woman  thought  that  it 
was  her  ill  usage  to  the  girl  that  made  her  hang 
herself;  this  so  affected  her,  that  she  lost  her 
reason,  and  now  her  friends  were  obliged  to 
watch  her  continually,  for  fear  she  should  put  an 
end  to  her  existence  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
girl  had  done.  I  went  to  see  her,  and  strove  to 
encourage  her  to  a  composure  of  mind,  by  apply- 
ing the  promises  of  the  gospel,  but  I  fear  to  little 
purpose.  How  careful  ought  those  to  be,  under 
whose  care  other  people's  children  are  placed,  to 
use  them  well,  and  bring  them  up  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  lest  they  rise  up  in  judgment  against 
them  in  the  great  day  of  accounts. 

There  came  to  me  an  old  Indian  woman,  who 
told  me  she  had  been  under  sore  distress  of  soul, 
"And,"  said  she,  "I  went  into  the  woods,  and 
prayed  to  God  on  my  knees,  that  if  he  would 
have  mercy  on  a  poor  Indian,  to  give  me  a  sign ; 
and  after  some  time,  I  fell  on  my  face  and  prayed 
on,  and  I  saw  something  like  a  sun  settle  down 


176  A  poor  Indian  woman  prays  for  a  sign. 

close  by  me.  I  prayed  on,  and  saw  something 
like  one  sun  more  come.  I  prayed  on,  and  there 
came  something  like  another  sun,  and  then  there 
were  three  great  lights  like  suns.  I  still  prayed 
on;  poor  Indian  prayed  for  a  sign,  and  all  the 
suns  went  away;  and  then  I  thought  I  saw  so 
clear,  that  I  could  see  to  the  end  of  the  world ; 
and  then  there  came  such  a  light  and  glory,  that 
I  felt  it  all  through  my  body  and  soul,  and  it 
filled  me  with  joy,  and  love,  and  peace :  now,  do 
you  think  poor  Indian  is  converted?"  I  said, 
"Yes,"  and  exhorted  her  to  be  obedient  and 
faithful,  and  told  her  that  God  would  do  greater 
things  for  her  yet.  She  appeared  to  have  faith 
in  Christ;  I  felt  very  happy,  while  she  related 
this  to  me. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Patchog,  and  though  it 
was  the  height  of  harvest,  as  I  had  promised  to 
preach  on  predestination,  it  brought  the  people 
together  without  regard  to  business.  I  preached 
according  to  promise,  and  we  had  a  melting  time, 
and  some  cried  out.  When  I  had  done  preaching, 
I  read  the  rules  of  the  society,  and  made  such  ob- 
servations on  our  discipline,  as  I  thought  neces- 
sary, and  then  desired  as  many  as  believed  the 
doctrine  that  I  had  delivered,  to  follow  me  to  the 
house;  about  fifty  or  sixty  did  so,  and  fourteen 
joined  society.  Our  preachers  had  preached  at 
that  place,  most  part  of  the  time,  for  near  four 
years,  without  being  able  to  form  a  society.  I 
went  home  with  my  old  Antinomian  friend,  Mr. 
S.  who  told  me,  that  after  all  their  cavils  and 
disputes,  on  what  they  had  heard  on  predestina- 
tion, that  it  had  generally  been  acknowledged  by 
them,  that  it  was  the  truth.  In  that  place  the 
people  had  meetings  araonj    themselves,  for 


Utieasincss  among  the  Baptist  preachers.  177 


twenty-three  evenings,  and  it  was  judged  by 
some  that  there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty  souls 
converted  to  God ;  but  this  I  leave  to  the  day  of 
eternity. 

Here  I  met  with  Ruth  Jones;  I  think  she  had 
the  best  memory  of  any  woman  I  had  ever  met 
with  in  all  my  travels.  She  had  joined  society, 
was  a  great  scriptuarian,  and  a  strong  advocate 
for  the  truth. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I 
found  three  Baptist  preachers,  and  one  Presbyte- 
rian preacher.  I  was  under  great  exercise,  it 
being  a  Baptist  meeting-house;  however,  I  con- 
cluded to  preach  the  truth  as  it  was  in  Christ, 
and  leave  the  event  to  God.  I  went  in,  and  after 
singing  and  prayer,  I  gave  out  these  words, 
"The  gifts  and  calling  of  God  are  without  re- 
pentance." I  had  great  liberty  in  preaching, 
and  saw  some  fruits  of  the  Spirit  among  the  peo- 
ple; but  I  observed  an  uneasiness  among  the 
preachers.  After  I  had  done,  1  asked  the  Bap- 
tist preachers  severally  if  they  would  sing  and 
pray,  but  they  all  refused;  I  then  asked  the 
Presbyterian,  and  he  replied,  "  I  will  join  you ;" 
so  I  sang  and  prayed,  and  then  dismissed  the 
people. 

One  of  the  Baptist  preachers,  Mr.  C.  said,  "  In 
fifteen  minutes  I  shall  begin,"  and  asked  me  to 
stay  and  hear  him.  I  told  him  I  could  not,  as  I 
had  twenty  miles  to  ride,  and  so  left  them.  Mr. 
Lake  informed  me,  that  after  I  was  gone,  he 
preached  predestination  on  the  highest  key,  and 
that  as  soon  as  he  had  done,  the  people  arose  and 
universally  testified  their  abhorrence  to  the  doc- 
trine; and  one  man  said,  "Mr.  C.  your  preaching 
is  an  abomination;  I  know  it  to  be  so  in  mv 

M 


178    Disputes  with  a  Presbyterian  minister. 


family  ;  for  my  children  are  now  men  and  women 
grown,  and  if  I  reprove  them  for  sin,  let  it  be 
what  it  will,  their  reply  is,  'It  was  so  ordained, 
and  if  we  are  to  be  saved  we  shall  he,  do  what  we 
will;  and  if  we  are  not  to  be  saved,  it  is  in  vain 
to  try,  we  can  do  nothing.'" 

At  my  next  appointment,  I  found  the  people 
gathered,  and  amongst  them,  a  Mr.  H.  a  Presby- 
terian minister;  I  sang,  prayed,  and  took  my 
text,  and  felt  great  liberty  in  speaking;  the 
power  of  the  Lord  arrested  one  sinner,  so  that 
she  cried  out  for  mercy.  After  I  had  done 
preaching,  and  before  I  had  time  to  dismiss  the 
people,  Mr.  H.  arose  and  said,  "Is  this  meeting 
done?'"  1  said,  "Yes;"  with  that  he  said,  "You 
are  an  old  deceiver,  you  have  preached  false  doc- 
trine, and  you  are  a  liar;  for  you  have  preached, 
that  a  man  may  live  without  sin,  but  I  say  no 
man  can;  and  he  that  says  he  is  without  sin, 
deceives  himself,  and  is  a  liar."  I  let  hiin  go  on 
a  while :  I  was  folding  down  several  leaves  of 
scripture,  on  sundry  texts,  in  order  to  support 
what  I  had  advanced  ;  when  he  had  done  I  arose; 
and  at  that  instant  he  sprang  for  the  door  and 
hastened  away,  the  man  of  the  house  went  after 
him  near  one  hundred  yards  saying,  "Come  back, 
Mr.  H.;"  but  all  to  no  purpose,  for  he  still  went 
on,  without  paying  the  least  regard  to  his  being 
called.  However,  as  soon  as  he  was  gone,  an 
elder  took  up  the  matter,  but  soon  found  himself 
at  a  loss;  but  in  order  to  make  the  best  of  the 
business,  one  of  the  friends  replied,  "Mr.  S.  is 
not  at  present  prepared  for  an  argument." 
"What  then,"  said  I,  "does  he  come  here  for? 
And  why  does  he  take  the  field  of  battle  without 
arms?    A  man  should  always  he  armed  that 


A  drunken  I'redest'marian.  171* 

means  to  fight;  and  to  begin  a  battle  without 
being  prepared  for  the  attack,  discovers  great 
folly." 

Another  man  standing  by,  who  was  intoxicated, 
said  (clapping  his  hand  upon  his  breast),  "  I  have 
that  within  me  that  cannot  sin  !"  I  then  replied, 
"I  smell  a  stink  of  liquor!"  "Liquor,"  said  he, 
"I  have  not  drank  one  drop  of  rum  to-day,!" 
"But,"  said  another  person,  "such  a  neighbour 
tapped  a  hogshead  of  cyder  to-day."  So  it  appears 
he  was  drunk  with  cyder  instead  of  rum,  which  is 
one  und  the  same  abomination  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Yet,  poor  man,  his  principles  led  him  to  boast  of 
something  within  him  that  could  not  sin,  though 
he  could  get  drunk.  Can  a  man  be  an  inward 
saint,  and  an  outward  sinner?  Can  he  servt; 
God  in  his  heart  by  faith,  while  he  serves  the 
devil  outwardly  in  his  life?  Once  a  child  of 
God  always  such,  do  what  they  will !  May  the 
Lord  pity  all  those  who  are  under  such  dangerous 
delusions!  They  were  soon  out  of  the  door,  dis- 
puting until  they  gave  each  other  the  lie,  and  I 
was  afraid  there  would  be  blood  spilt  among 
them,  for  one  man  swore  he  would  lose  every 
drop  in  his  body,  for  the  doctrine  that  he  had 
that  day  heard;  but  it  ended  in  words  without 
blows,  for  which  I  was  thankful. 

I  then  left  them,  and  went  with  Jlr.  W.  who 
told  me  he  had  sat  twenty-five  years  under  Mr. 
H.  and  never  knew  before,  what  principles  he 
held;  but  said  he,  "I  have  done  with  him,"  and 
soon  after  he  joined  society.  I  went  to  his 
Brother  T.  WVs,  where  I  tarried  all  night.  I 
went  next  morning  to  Brother  Hobb's.  Next 
day  was  our  quarterly-meeting,  and  a  great  man  v 
people  came  out.    Here  I  met  Brother  H'natcoat 


180  The  cry  of  the  mourners. 

and  Brother  Morrell ;  one  of  them  preached,  and 
the  other  exhorted.  Next  day  Brother  Whatcoat 
opened  the  love-feast,  and  after  the  bread  and 
water  were  handed  round,  divers  young  converts 
spoke  very  feelingly  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and 
his  dealings  with  their  souls ;  we  had  a  precious 
time.  There  was  a  large  congregation,  and  one 
of  our  brethren  preached,  and  the  other  gave  an 
exhortation;  we  had  a  solemn,  and  I  trust  a 
profitable,  time  to  many  souls. 

I  then  set  out  for  conference.  While  I  travel- 
led that  circuit,  I  took  between  eighty  and  ninety 
members  into  society.  May  the  Lord  record 
their  names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  and  save 
them  in  the  day  of  eternity  !  Amen. 

I  attended  York  conference,  where  I  trust  the 
affairs  of  the  church  were  settled  in  brotherly 
love.  The  Bishop  observed,  that  he  never  had 
heard  so  many  speak  of  sanctitication  in  this 
place  before;  may  the  Lord  increase  their  num- 
ber. I  told  the  Bishop  that  it  had  been  about 
nine  years  since  I  was  round  the  Salem  circuit  to 
see  my  children  in  the  gospel,  and  that  I  desired 
to  go  there:  he  replied,  "You  may  go  and  ride 
there  this  winter." 

Accordingly,  I  set  out  for  Philadelphia,  on  my 
way  to  my  circuit;  when  I  arrived  in  the  city, 
the  Bishop  told  me  that  I  must  preach  in  the 
evening.  Accordingly,  I  attended  the  church  in 
Fourth-street,  where,  after  singing,  1  kneeled 
and  prayed,  but  did  not  attempt  to  take  a  text  or 
preach,  for,  under  prayer,  the  power  of  the  Lord 
descended  on  the  people  in  such  a  manner,  that 
some  fell  to  the  floor  under  the  operation  thereof; 
the  cry  of  mourners,  and  the  joyful  acclamations 
of  the  christians  were  so  great,  that  I  could  not 


A  preacher  overcome  by  the  divine  power.  181 


lie  heard.  Many  cried  aloud,  and  among  them 
was  Brother  Cann,  one  of  our  preachers,  who 
was  wonderfully  overcome  by  the  divine  power; 
when  he  came  to  he  stepped  into  the  desk,  and 
publicly  acknowledged  that  he  had  ever  been  an 
enemy  to  people's  crying  aloud,  or  making  such 
a  noise  in  public  worship;  but  that  he  then  could 
not  help  it  himself,  that  he  could  no  more  refrain 
from  crying  aloud,  than  he  could  from  dying,  if 
God  were  to  send  the  messenger  of  death  to  ar- 
rest his  body. 

Brother  M'Claskey  went  through  the  house 
among  the  mourners,  praying  for  and  admonish- 
ing all  those  that  came  in  his  way,  and  requested 
me  to  do  the  same;  accordingly,  I  left  the  pulpit 
without  attempting  to  preach,  and  followed  his 
example.  Our  meeting  continued  till  near  eleven 
o'clock.  No  doubt  that  meeting  is  well  remem- 
bered by  many  of  our  friends  in  Philadelphia. 
O  may  its  good  effects  be  seen  in  eternity.  It 
was  a  gracious  time  to  many  souls:  several  pro- 
fessed justification,  and  some  sanctification. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Salem  circuit— Ocean  of  love — Shout  in  the  camp,  and  a  wo- 
man exhorts—Joshua's  resolution — Spirit  of  contention — 
Powerful  class-meeting. 

After  I  left  the  city,  I  took  my  circuit  at 
Brother  Clark's,  about  eleven  miles  above  Salem, 
where  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  attended  the 
word  with  power ;  one  sinner  trembled  every 
joint  in  him,  and  I  expected  he  would  have  fallen 
to  the  floor,  but  he  fled  out  of  the  house  with 
trembling  and  astonishment.  I  met  class,  and 
had  a  precious  time  among  my  old  friends. 


182        Several  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment  at  Hain's-neck, 
where  I  saw  some  fruits  of  the  Spirit  under  the 
word.    I  met  class,  and  had  a  precious  time. 

On  Sunday  I  went  to  Penn's-neck  meeting- 
house, where  I  met  with  a  large  congregation, 
consisting  of  my  old  friends  and  children  in  the 
gospel.  There  the  Lord  manifested  his  presence 
among  us,  to  the  joy  of  many  souls;  for  my  own 
part,  if  the  Lord  had  not  withheld  his  hand,  I 
could  not  have  preached.  In  class,  several  were 
so  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love,  that  they  could  not 
speak;  such  a  melting  time  I  had  seldom  seen. 

In  the  afternoon  I  preached  at  Salem  to  a  large 
congregation,  and  felt  freedom  in  delivering  the 
word;  I  met  class,  and  had  a  peaceable  waiting 
before  God. 

I  preached  at  Brother  S.'s,  met  class,  and  found 
they  had  grown  cold  in  religion,  and  to  the  things 
of  God.  May  the  Spirit  of  the  eternal  God  stir 
them  up  to  more  diligence! 

At  the  Widow  W.'s,  I  had  a  crowded  house, 
and  the  Lord  attended  the  word  with  power, 
and  several  appeared  much  affected.  In  class,  I 
pressed  sanctification,  or  holiness  of  heart,  on 
them :  we  had  a  comfortable  waiting,  and  our 
souls  were  refreshed  with  the  love  of  God. 

I  went  to  Brother  Swing's,  and  preached  to  a 
congregation  mostly  Presbyterians;  and  although 
I  saw  but  little  fruit,  yet  I  felt  a  freedom  in 
speaking,  and  hope  it  will  not  be  altogether  la- 
bour lost.  In  class,  several  spoke  feelingly  of 
the  Lord's  dealings  with  their  souls. 

I  went  to  Brother  T.'s,  who  informed  me  that 
they  had  not  had  a  preacher  for  eighteen  months, 
although  they  had  a  class  of  fifteen  or  sixteen 
members.    We  had  a  crowded  house;  I  spoke 


A  woman  exhorts. 


1(13 


with  freedom,  and  the  Lord  was  present  amongst 
us,  to  the  joy  of  many  souls.  In  class,  we  had  a 
melting  time. 

Next  day.  as  the  ppople  had  but  little  notice  of 
my  coming,  I  had  a  small  congregation ;  however, 
I  preached  to  them,  and  hope  that  some  good 
was  done:  there  we  had  no  class.  I  lodged  at 
Mrs.  W.'s,  and  in  the  morning  they  set  me  over 
Morris-river,  and  I  went  to  the  church,  where  I 
met  a  large  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached. 
The  Lord  made  bare  his  arm,  and  many,  both 
saints  and  sinners,  cried  aloud.  There  I  met 
many  of  my  dear  old  friends,  whom  I  had  not 
seen  for  about  nine  years;  divers  of  them  were 
as  happy  as  they  could  live.  I  remembered  seve- 
ral of  them  who  had  professed  sanctirication  when 
I  was  amongst  them  in  years  past;  some  had  re- 
tained it,  but  others  had  in  a  measure  lost  the 
witness.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  what  he  has 
done,  and  is  still  doing,  for  the  inhabitants  of 
Morris-river.  At  Brother  Barlow  Williams's 
they  had  but  little  notice  of  my  coming;  however, 
I  spoke  to  the  few  who  were  present,  and  met 
class;  several  spoke  freely,  and  appeared  in  a 
measure  happy. 

Next  day,  at  Mr.  H.'s,  I  spoke  with  great 
liberty;  many  wept  and  some  cried  aloud.  I  met 
class,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp  of  Jesus; 
some  fell  on  the  floor,  and  one  woman  gave  us  an 
exhortation:  it  was  a  good  day  to  many  souls. 

I  went  to  Brother  Goff 's,  where  we  had  a  good 
time.  I  impressed  sanctification  on  them,  with 
all  the  power  and  ability  that  God  had  given  me. 
There  I  met  with  many  of  my  old  friends,  and 
was  happy  to  find  that  God  had  not  only  pre- 
served them  steadfast  in  the  faith,  but  had  added 
many  to  the  church. 


184  A  dispute  about  the  peuis. 

I  went  to  'Squire  Cresey's,  on  Cape-May;  there 
I  found  they  had  been  without  a  shepherd  for 
about  eighteen  months.  They  had  not  much 
notice  of  my  coming;  however,  I  preached  to  the 
few  who  met.  The  members  of  society  present 
stiil  professed  faith,  and  spoke  freely  of  the  deal- 
iugs  of  God  with  their  souls,  yet  acknowledged 
great  deadness  for  want  of  preaching. 

I  went  next  to  Brother  G.'s;  I  found  since  I 
had  been  there  last,  that  the  Universalians  had 
made  a  great  rent  in  the  Baptist  church;  several 
of  them  came  out  to  hear  me,  and  I  felt  much 
freedom  in  declaring  the  truth  of  God  unto  them, 
though  I  saw  but  little  or  no  fruit  of  the  Spirit: 
as  we  had  no  class,  I  dismissed  the  people.  A 
Baptist  man  tarried  behind  and  said  to  me,  "I 
do  not  know  what  to  do,  for  my  neighbours  were 
formerly  Baptists,  and  praying  people,  but  since 
they  have  turned  Universalians,  I  do  not  know 
one  of  them  that  is  a  praying  person."  I  told 
him  I  could  give  him  no  better  advice  than  old 
Joshua's  resolution,  "Let  others  do  as  they  may, 
to  be  sure  and  serve  God  himself."  We  spent 
some  time  to  satisfaction,  in  conversing  on  the 
things  of  God. 

I  preached  in  a  Baptist  meeting-house  on  the 
upper  end  of  the  Cape,  but  did  not  feel  that 
liberty  in  speaking  which  I  generally  had,  owing, 
I  believe,  to  a  feeling  sense  of  a  spirit  of  conten- 
tion amongst  them.  After  preaching,  the  people 
began  to  dispute  about  the  pews;  one  said  he  had 
hired  this,  and  anothei  that  pew,  and  that  such 
and  such  should  not  sit  in  them.  I  told  them 
that  I  had  nothing  to  do  in  the  matter,  for  I  was 
only  on  sufferance  myself,  and  therefore  not  a 
suitable  person  to  interfere  in,  or  to  settle  a  mat- 


A  shout  of  Praise. 


18;, 


ter  of  that  nature.  I  met  the  class,  and  found 
them  likewise  all  in  confusion  ahout  a  poor  per- 
son that  was  half  Indian ;  and  some  of  them, 
having  more  pride  than  religion,  could  not  stoop 
to  sit  in  class  with  him;  and  to  cloak  the  matter 
a  little,  they  had  raised  several  objections  against 
him,  and  without  supporting  any  thing,  insisted 
on  my  expelling  him,  which  I  refused  to  do,  as 
there  appeared  a  good  testimony  in  his  favour, 
and  that  he  was  of  an  orderly  life  and  conversa- 
tion :  at  which,  two  of  them  determined  to  with- 
draw from  society,  and  desired  me  to  cross  their 
names  off  the  class-paper;  I  did  so,  and  thus  the 
matter  ended. 

I  went  to  W.  T.'s,  and  preached  with  great 
liberty  to  a  small  congregation;  I  met  the  class, 
and  there  appeared  but  little  life  or  power  among 
them.  I  exhorted  them  to  more  religion,  and  to 
press  forward  for  sanctification. 

At  Tuckehoe  meeting-house,  I  had  a  large  con- 
gregation, to  whom  I  preached  with  liberty:  I 
met  class,  and  we  had  a  melting  time;  many  spoke 
feelingly,  and  I  pressed  sanctification  on  them. 

At  my  next  appointment,  I  found  a  poor,  but 
a  blessed  people;  there  the  Lord  laid  to  his  helping 
hand,  and  attended  the  word  with  power;  some 
cried  out,  some  fell  down,  and  others  clapped 
their  hands  and  shouted  for  joy:  we  had  a  shout 
of  praise  in  the  camp  of  Jesus.  I  met  class, 
pressed  them  to  seek  sanctification,  and  was  un- 
commonly joyful  at  seeing  how  happy  these  dear 
people  were. 

I  then  went  to  Brother  E.  Budd's,  where  the 
Lord  attended  the  word  with  power:  many  cried 
out,  and  some  fell  to  the  floor.  I  met  class,  or 
rather  attempted  to  meet  it,  for  I  had  not  spokeu 


186         Sees  some  fruit  of  the  Spirit. 

to  above  two  or  three  before  the  Lord  met  them 
in  such  power,  that  several  fell  to  the  floor,  and 
we  had  a  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp.  "And 
many  shouted  aloud  for  joy:  for  the  people  shouted 
with  a  loud  shout,  and  the  noise  was  heard  afar 
off."  Ezra  iii.  12,  13.  This  meeting  continued 
from  eleven  o'clock  till  night. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Stretch  for  sanctification —  Presbyterian  falls — Converted 
sawyer — Articles  of  faith — Ocean  of  redeeming  love — Re- 
vivals— Great  work  at  the  quarterly-meeting — Persecution 
— Remarks. 

I  then  went  to  Brother  A.'s,  in  Deerfield, 
and  preached  in  the  evening  to  a  hard-hearted 
set;  however,  I  was  enabled  to  declare  the  coun- 
sel of  God,  although  I  did  not  feel  that  freedom 
that  I  usually  felt.  Some  testified  of  the  good- 
ness of  God  to  their  souls  in  class. 

On  Sunday  I  preached  with  freedom  in  Broad- 
neck  meeting-house;  some  wept.  In  the  after- 
noon I  went  to  Murphy's  church,  in  Pitt's-Grove, 
where  I  met  a  large  congregation.  God  attended 
the  word  with  power,  and  we  had  a  precious  time 
in  class. 

Monday  I  went  to  Malago,  a  new  place,  and 
preached ;  there  I  saw  some  fruit  of  the  Spirit. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Brother  C.'s,  and  preached 
to  a  clever  congregation;  the  power  of  the  Lord 
attended  the  word.  I  met  the  society,  and  had  a 
precious  time  amongst  them. 

At  Hain's-neck,  we  had  a  crowded  house,  and 
the  Lord  attended  the  truth  with  power;  some 
fell  on  the  floor.  I  met  class,  and  several  joined 
society. 


A  sinjier  falls  to  the  floor. 


I  then  went  to  Brother  Peddrick's,  in  lower 
Penn's-neck.  There  the  Lord  attended  the  word 
with  the  energy  of  his  Spirit ;  several  cried  aloud 
for  mercy.  I  met  class;  one  sinner  fell,  under 
the  power  of  God,  to  the  floor.  Several  prayers 
were  put  up  for  him,  and  the  Lord,  in  his  mercy, 
set  his  soul  at  liberty,  whereby  he  was  enabled  to 
rejoice  in  redeeming  love ;  glorv  to  the  name  of 
Christ. 

On  Sunday  I  preached  in  Penn's-neck  meeting- 
house; there  the  Lord  attended  the  word  with 
power,  and  several  cried  out  for  mercy.  After 
preaching  I  invited  the  mourners  to  stay  in  class; 
they  did  so,  and  in  class  the  Lord  laid  to  his 
helping  hand,  and  his  power  was  present  to  the 
joy  of  many  souls ;  several  were  set  at  liberty  to 
praise  him  as  a  sin-pardoning  God,  and  one  pro- 
fessed sanctification.  It  was  a  day  that  will 
never  be  forgotten,  in  time  or  eternity,  by  many 
souls. 

Here  I  met  with  friend  I.  Ffirth,  who  asked 
me  if  I  would  preach  in  upper  Penn's-neck,  if  he 
could  procure  a  place,  and  give  me  notice.  I 
told  him  I  would.  Then  we  went  on  for  Salem, 
in  order  to  attend  my  afternoon  appointment. 
There  I  found  a  large  congregation,  but  being 
rather  too  late,  by  reason  of  our  meeting  con- 
tinuing longer  than  usual  in  the  Neck,  my  son 
David  was  preaching  to  them,  on  the  same  text 
that  I  had  spoken  from  in  the  morning,  viz. 
"Quench  not  the  Spirit."  After  he  had  done,  I 
gave  an  exhortation,  and  we  had  a  peaceable 
waiting  before  God. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I  had  a 
clever  congregation,  and  the  Lord  attended  the 
word  with  power.    Two  fell  to  the  floor,  aud  we 


1 88  A  young  man  turns  travelling  preacher. 

had  a  little  shout  in  the  camp  of  Jesus.  I  met 
class,  and  about  twelve  joined,  and  we  had  a  pre- 
cious time.  After  meeting',  a  young  man  said' to 
me,  "Father  Abbott,  what  shall  I  do?  I  have 
been  in  full  stretch  for  sanctification :  I  have  left 
nothing  undone  that  I  could  do;  I  have  prayed 
almost  all  night  on  my  knees  for  the  blessing; 
and  sometimes  it  appeal  ed  as  if  1  were  just  going 
to  receive  it,  but  now  it  seems  farther  from  me, 
and  as  if  I  should  never  receive  it  at  all."  I 
said,  "  I  believe  you  are  in  the  right  wav,  and  let 
us  fervently  pray  for  the  blessing,  and  I  believe 
that  God  will  give  it  unto  you  before  we  rise." 
We  kneeled  down,  and  he  soon  fell  to  the  floor, 
as  one  dead,  under  the  mighty  power  of  God  ; 
his  blood  appeared  stagnated,  and  he  lay  some 
time  in  this  state,  while  we  were  made  partakers 
of  divine  blessings :  when  he  came  to,  he  praised 
God  and  testified  that  he  had  given  him  a  clean 
heart.  Brother  S.  invited  him  to  tarry  all  night; 
but  he  said  he  would  go  home  and  tell  the  good 
news  to  his  parents,  and  so  set  out:  he  had  fifteen 
miles  to  walk.  He  was,  soon  after  this,  called  to 
the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  took  the  field  as  a 
travelling  preacher. 

At  my  next  appointment  I  found  a  crowded 
house,  to  whom  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  attended 
the  truth  with  the  energy  of  his  Spirit;  several 
cried  out,  being  cut  to  the  heart,  under  a  sense  of 
their  depraved  and  fallen  state.  In  class  I  im- 
pressed sanctification  on  them,  and  the  power  of 
the  Lord  fell  on  Sister  W.  who,  with  several 
others,  received  the  inestimable  blessing.  A 
Presbyterian  hearing  the  cry  of  mourners,  came 
to  the  door,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  reached 
his  heart  so  that  he  fell  into  the  house,  and  was 


A  young  man  tells  his  experience.  189 

renewed  in  God's  love  in  this  meeting!  He  had 
known  what  religion  was  previous  to  this,  but 
then  he  got  a  fresh  spring.  He  and  his  wife  both 
joined  society.  I  spent  the  evening  with  Sister 
W.  in  great  satisfaction,  conversing  on  the 
things  of  God. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Brother  S.'s,  at  New-Eng- 
land-Town, where  I  found  a  crowded  house, 
chiefly  Presbyterians,  to  whom  I  preached  from 
Romans  viii.  30,  "Whom  he  did  predestinate 
them  he  also  called,"  &c.  and  hope  it  was  not  la- 
bour lost. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  about  nine  or 
ten  miles  distant,  where  I  found  several  of  the 
New-England-Town  Presbyterians  and  Baptists, 
who  had  followed  me  thither ;  to  whom  I  preached 
on  predestination,  and  they  gave  great  attention. 
When  I  had  concluded,  a  young  man  arose  and 
told  his  experience.  I  had  seen  him  in  my  last 
round,  and  he  then  told  me  that  he  was  in  great 
distress,  and  said  he  was  afraid  that  he  should  be 
list,  for  that  he  saw  no  way  for  his  escape.  I 
then  applied  the  promises-of  the  gospel,  and  ad- 
vised him  to  fly  to  Christ,  and  betake  himself  to 
prayer;  "For,"  said  I,  "you  have  spent  many  a 
day  and  night  in  the  service  of  the  devil,  and 
now  be  determined  to  spend  the  remainder  of 
your  time  in  the  service  of  God."  He  at  that 
time  left  me  without  making  any  replv,  whether 
he  would  or  not.  Being  a  sawyer,  he  went  to 
his  mill,  and  set  it  to  work  ;  but  his  mind  being 
exceedingly  agitated,  he  said  to  himself,  "What 
shall  it  profit  me  if  I  gain  the  whole  world,  and 
lose  ray  own  soul  ?  I  will  take  the  old  man's  ad- 
vice."  So  he  shut  down  his  mill,  and  retired 
into  the  swamp,  and  took  himself  to  prayer  for 


190 


Reads  the  Articles  of  Faith. 


about  the  space  of  three  hours;  sometimes  on  his 
knees,  and  sometimes  on  his  face,  until  the  Lord 
spoke  peace  to  his  soul.  "Now,"  said  he,  "I  am 
as  happy  as  I  can  live;  and  exhorted  all  to  seek 
for  the  blessing." 

I  desired  the  people  to  tarry  while  I  read  our 
articles  of  faith,  and  also  their  own.  They  all 
sat  down,  and  I  read  our  own  first,  and  then  I 
proceeded  to  read  theirs;  they  all  sat  still  until  I 
came  unto  the  third  article,  which  spoke  on  this 
wise,  in  substance:  "God,  for  the  purpose  of  his 
own  glory,  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to 
pass,  and  predestinated  such  a  certain  number, 
both  men  and  angels,  for  eternal  life,  and  the 
others  he  passed  by  and  left  them  to  eternal  dam- 
nation ;  and  that  the  number  was  so  certain  and 
definite,  that  one  could  not  either  be  added  or  di- 
minished." At  reading  this,  they  arose  and  left 
the  house.  I  met  class  and  had  a  precious  time. 
There  were  a  number  added  to  the  church  at  this 
place  while  I  rode  the  circuit. 

At  my  next  appointment  I  tore  up  Calvinism. 
I  had  great  liberty  in  speaking,  and  many  wept. 
After  preaching,  I  read  our  articles,  it  being  a 
new  place,  and  then  asked,  if  any  had  a  desire  to 
join  society;  there  were  nine  who  joined.  I 
tarried  that  night  at  Mrs.  Hand's. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Morris-river  church,  and 
had  a  large  congregation ;  there  the  Lord  attended 
the  word  with  power-  His  people  seemed  lust  in 
the  ocean  of  redeeming  love,  and  several  fell  to 
the  floor,  and  many  praised  God :  it  was  a  day 
of  great  power  to  many  souls.  In  class,  many  of 
the  dear  people  were  so  happy  that  they  could 
not  speak.  We  had  precious  times  generally  at 
that  place  while  I  rode  the  circuit. 


Two  sinners  cut  to  the  heart.  191 

I  went  to  the  Widow  H.'s,  and  we  had  a 
crowded  house.  I  preached  with  liberty,  and 
God  attended  the  word  with  power;  many  wept, 
and  some  cried  out;  we  had  a  small  shout  in  the 
camp.  In  class,  we  had  a  powerful  time;  a  wo- 
man seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love,  clapping 
her  hands,  shouting  glory  to  God,  and  praises  to 
his  holy  name.  We  had  a  revival,  and  I  formed 
the  class  in  this  place.  May  the  Lord  record  their 
names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life! 

At  Tuckehoe  we  had  a  crowded  house.  I  did 
not  expect  ever  to  see  them  again  on  this  side  of 
great  eternity.* 

While  we  were  singing 

"  Come  ye  that  love  the  Lord, 
And  let  your  joys  be  known ; 
Join  in  a  song  with  sweet  accord, 
While  ye  surround  the  throne." 

the  power  of  the  Lord  fell  on  me  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  I  could  neither  sing  nor  give  out  the 
hymn  until  the  Lord  withheld  his  Spirit  a  little, 
which  ran  through  the  house  with  power.  I  then 
prayed,  and  if  ever  I  preached  with  life,  liberty, 
and  power,  I  did  that  day.  I  met  class  and  we 
had  a  precious  time.  The  children  of  God  seemed 
lost  in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  grace.  Some  lay 
on  the  floor  under  the  mighty  power  of  God. 

I  went  to  my  next  appointment,  where  I  found 
the  house  crowded.  We  had  a  shout  in  the  camp 
of  Jesus;  two  old  sinners  were  cut  to  the  heart, 
and  got  their  souls  converted,  and  joined  society. 
In  class  we  had  a  wonderful  time;  our  meeting 
lasted  for  several  hours;  a  number  lay  on  the 


*  This  proved  to  be  the  case,  for  he  never  had  another 
opportunity  of  visiting  them. 


193 


Several  profess  sanctijicution. 


floor  under  the  mighty  power  of  God,  and  several 
professed  sanctification.  This  is  strange  work  in 
the  eyes  of  the  carnal  heart;  but  glory  to  God, 
we  know  in  whom  we  have  believed  !  "Am  I  a 
God  at  hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar 
off?  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth?"  Jer.  xxiii. 
23,  24.    I  went  home  with  Brother  Hesler. 

I  next  preached  at  Brother  B's.  Here  the 
Lord  attended  his  word  with  power:  one  sinner 
kneeled,  first  on  one  knee  and  then  on  the  other, 
and  soon  fell  on  the  floor  and  cried  aloud  for 
mercy.  I  met  the  class,  and  we  had  a  shout  in 
the  camp;  many  prayed  aloud,  others  shouted  for 
joy,  and  the  noise  was  heard  afar  off.  Several 
professed  sanctification,  among  whom  were  Bro- 
ther B.'s  son  Wesley,  and  his  daughter.  The 
son  soon  after  took  the  field  as  a  labourer  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard.  May  he  ever  be  faithful  to  the 
gift  of  divine  grace  received. 

We  held  our  quarterly-meeting  at  Murphey's 
church.  Here  I  met  with  Brother  Merrick,  our 
presiding  elder,  and  Brother  Cann,  who  rode  on 
the  Bethel  circuit.  On  Saturday,  Brother  Cann 
preached  with  life  and  power,  in  the  demonstra- 
tion of  the  Spirit;  Brother  M.  and  myself  gave 
exhortations;  we  had  a  profitable  waiting  on  the 
Lord. 

On  Sunday  morning  Brother  M.  opened  the 
love-feast;  after  handing  about  the  bread  and 
water,  the  people  began  to  speak  very  feelingly, 
and  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  down  among 
them;  many  cried  aloud,  and  others  fell  to  the 
floor  under  the  might  y  power  of  God.  Some 
cried  aloud  for  mercy,  and  pome  shouted  for  joy 
— joy  indeed,  to  see  sinners  flocking  home  to  God, 
as  doves  to  the  windows;  others  p;;iycd  aloud,  so 


A  neighbourhood  famous  for  vice.  193 


that  we  had  the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp,  and 
the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present  to  heal  those 
who  were  wounded  by  the  Spirit  of  the  eternal 
God,  for  the  Lord  killeth  and  maketh  alive. 
By  this  mighty  power  sinners  were  convinced  of 
their  undone  state  without  a  Redeemer,  and  soulg 
were  converted,  whereby  they  were  enabled  to 
shout  redeeming  love  to  God  aud  the  Lamb: 
some  professed  sanctitication. 

Thus  the  work  went  on  until  time  for  public 
preaching,  so  that  the  sacrament  could  not  be  ad- 
ministered during  that  space  of  time.  At  eleven 
o'clock  it  was  judged  best  to  open  the  doors;  many 
people  were  waiting  without  for  admittance.  After 
a  short  interval  public  worship  began  and  Bro- 
ther Merrick  preached,  and  after  him  several  ex- 
hortations were  given,  and  divine  power  attended 
the  word ;  several  were  reached  to  the  heart,  and 
one  or  two  ungodly  sinners  were  so  powerfully 
struck,  that  they  were  helped  off  by  their  ungodly 
associates,  being  so  wrought  on  that  they  were 
unable  to  go  themselves  without  their  help:  and 
many  of  the  children  of  God  were  built  up  in 
their  most  holy  faith,  for  which  my  soul  adores 
the  God  and  Rock  of  our  salvation. 

An  appointment  having  been  made  in  Upper 
Penn's-Neck,  by  John  Ffirth,  at  the  house  of 
John  Stremple,  a  neighbourhood  famous  for  vice 
and  immorality,  where  they  had  no  regular 
preaching  nearer  than  ten  or  twelve  miles,  except 
now  and  then  a  few  words  in  a  small  Quaker 
meeting,  where  very  few  of  the  vulgar  ever  at. 
tended;  I  was  informed,  that  when  this  appoint- 
ment was  made,  there  were  some  present  who 
were  nearly  or  quite  men  and  women  grown,  who 
had  scarcely  heard  a  gospel  sermon  in  all  their 
lives.  if 


194        Interrupted  by  ill-disposed  men. 

When  the  day  came,  J.  F.  met  me  at  Murphy's 
Church  agreeably  to  a  (ormer  appointment,  and 
gave  me  notice  thereof ;  accordingly  we  set  off, 
and  on  my  way  thither  my  mind  was  solemnly 
impressed  with  these  words, "I  have  a  message 
from  God  unto  thee."  (Judges  iii.  20.)  We 
went  to  William  Barber's  in  Upper  Penn's-Neck, 
where  we  dined:  he  used  us  kindly,  and  gave  us 
information  that  we  might  expect  some  interrup- 
tion from  some  dissolute  people;  for  there  had 
been  some  talk  of  running  horses  on  the  public 
highway,  which  led  through  the  man's  land  where 
the  meeting  had  been  appointed,  and  not  far  from 
his  house,  and  to  be  at  the  same  hour  of  the  meet- 
ing, but  this  fell  through. 

When  we  arrived  at  the  place,  we  found  a 
large  congregation  assembled;  for  in  consequence 
of  the  novelty  of  a  Methodist  meeting,  the  talk 
of  an  intended  interruption,  &c.  the  people  had  i 
generally  got  together.    When  we  went  into  the 
house,  as  many  people  followed  us  as  could  well 
crowd  in  and  stand  upon  their  feet.    I  took  my  t 
stand  near  the  door,  there  being  a  considerable  I 
number  outside.    Two  men  followed  us  into  the  h 
house  who  appeared  ill-disposed,  one  of  them  I 
took  his  stand  near  the  middle  of  the  house,  I 
where  he  remained  during  the  meeting  without 
offering  any  disturbance,  the  other  stood  about 
three  feet  from  the  door,  with  a  truncheon  in  his  « 
hand  about  two  feet  long,  which  he  held  by  the  k 
small  end,  three  or  four  others  remained  outside  r«' 
the  door,  with  the  like  weapons  in  their  hands.  1 
I  sang,  and  kneeled  down  to  pray  before  either  of 
them  offered  .any  interruption;  but  when  I  be-  £ 
sought  God  to  visit  that  part  of  his  vineyard,  ij 
and  to  make  it  as  famous  for  virtue  as  it  had  s- 


The  club  gentry. 


195 


been  for  vice,  one  of  them  replied,  that  it  was  as 
good  already  as  any  other  part  he  had  known, 
and  made  use  of  several  other  expressions  during 
the  time  of  prayer.  When  I  had  done  prayer,  I 
asked  him  if  he  knew  that  he  had  violated  the 
laws  of  the  land,  and  if  put  in  force,  that  he  had 
forfeited  twenty  pounds,  and  must  either  give  se- 
curity for  his  future  good  behaviour,  or  go  to 
jail.  I  then  charged  him  at  his  peril  to  desist, 
and  give  no  farther  interruption.  He  made 
several  replies,  and  appeared  very  vicious. 

.Mr>.  Hews,  an  old  Quaker  woman,  who  sat 
just  at  my  elbow,  seeing  the  man's  conduct,  and 
hearing  what  had  passed,  bade  me  not  to  be 
afraid,  and  put  me  in  mind  of  the  sufferings 
which  their  friends  had  undergone  for  the  cause  of 
God.  I  was  truly  glad  to  find  her  an  advocate 
for  Jesus,  though,  I  bless  God,  I  did  not  feel  the 
fear  of  man.  I  proceeded  and  gave  out  my  text, 
I  have  a  message  from  God  unto  thee."  (Judges 
i.  20.)  I  had  not  spoken  long,  before  he  began 
igain  to  interrupt  me,  raising  himself  on  his  toes 
:o  see  if  the  others  were  at  hand,  but  the  door 
jeing  surrounded  by  a  number  of  the  most  respect- 
ive inhabitants,  those  club  gentry  were  either 
ishamed  or  afraid,  so  that  they  kept  their  distance. 

I  soon  found  that  it  would  not  answer  to  dis- 
>ute,  and  therefore,  without  any  regard  to  what 
le  was  saying,  I  began  to  pour  out  the  terrors  of 
he  law  upon  him  in  the  most  awful  manner  I 
vas  capable  of.  1  soon  saw  his  countenance 
hange,  and  he  cried  out,  "Is  it  me,  Sir,  you 
oean?"  "Yes,"  said  I,  "you  are  the  very  man, 
.nd  I  have  a  message  from  God  unto  you," 
.  hirh  I  delivered  in  plain  terms,  and  began  to 
I  ray  for  him.  He  quickly  discovered  a  disposi- 
K  2 


196  A  woman  converted. 


tion  to  get  out  of  the  house,  but  this  he  could  not 
hastily  do,  the  crowd  was  so  great  irr  the  door. 
His  confusion  was  great,  and  he  cried  out,  "Do 
not  judge,  do  not  judge."  At  length  he  got  out, 
and  halloed  "Amen"  several  times,  but  he  soon 
gave  that  up.  A  Quaker  gentleman  being  at 
the  door,  said  to  him  as  he  went  out,  "  Thou  hast 
met  with  thy  match." 

I  have  since  understood  that  he  had  anchored 
his  vessel  in  the  Delaware,  two  or  three  miles  dis- 
tant, in  order  to  attend  this  meeting,  and  had 
sworn  that  he  never  meant  to  weigh  anchor 
again  until  he  had  driven  every  Methodist  out  of 
the  Neck.  While  I  was  praying  for  him,  God 
convinced  a  woman  of  sin,  who  soon  after  got 
her  soul  converted,  and  with  her  husband  joined 
society.  Blessed  be  God,  notwithstanding  all  the 
malice  of  men  and  devils,  we  had  a  solemn  and 
profitable  time  to  many  souls  who  were  broken 
into  tenderness.  Soon  after  a  society  was  formed, 
and  they  became  a  precious  people. 

I  left  the  circuit  after  six  months,  having  re- 
ceived eighty-five  members  into  society,  and  had 
seen  about  fifty  sanctified  by  the  mighty  power 
and  grace  of  God,  and  many  others  that  had  been  kl 
justified.    There  was  a  great  revival  among  the  n 
classes;  may  the  Lord  be  mindful  of  them,  and  m 
preserve  them  in  his  holy  fear. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Trenton  Circuit— Slain  and  wounded  up  stairs  and  down- 
Ocean  of  love — A  man  on  a  bed— I.onR  Branch  lovefeast 
lively— Street  preaching— Scwell's  History  of  the  Quakers 
— Meeting  in  the  woods. 

I  left  Salem  after  the  quarterly-meeting,  in 
order  to  travel  Trenton  circuit;  and  on  my  way 


Many  in  great  distress.  197 


thither  I  attended  the  quarterly-meeting  at 
Bethel:  after  preaching  and  exhortation  on  Sa- 
turday, we  adjourned  our  meeting  until  Sunday 
morning. 

Next  morning  Brother  Merrick  opened  the 
love-feast,  and  the  people  began  to  speak  their 
experiences  very  feelingly.  After  several  had 
spoken,  and  a  few  exhortations  had  heen  given,  I 
arose  and  exhorted  them  to  look  for  sanctitica- 
tion;  for  now  was  the  day  of  God's  power;  and 
the  power  of  the  Lord  fell  on  them  in  such  a 
manner,  that  they  fell  to  the  floor  all  through  the 
house,  upstairs  and  down,  so  that  speaking  expe- 
riences was  now  at  an  end;  for  many  shouted 
praises  to  God,  while  others  cried  aloud  for  mer- 
cy. I  looked  round  me  upstairs  and  I  saw  a  va- 
cancy, although  the  house  was  crowded;  so  I 
went  up  and  found  a  number  of  them  lying  all  in 
i  heap.  I  went  to  them  and  found  they  were 
nourners.  I  exhorted  them  to  cry  earnestly  to 
Sod  for  mercy  and  spare  not;  they  did  so;  I  and 
;hree  or  four  others  prayed  for  them,  and  the  Lord 
tet  all  their  souls  at  liberty  to  rejoice  in  his  love. 

I  turned  round,  and  there  lay  two  others  strug- 
gling as  in  the  agonies  of  death.  I  kneeled  and 
>rayed,  and  several  others  did  the  same,  and  the 
L<ord  spoke  peace  to  their  sonls.  I  looked,  and 
ly  those  I  saw  another  lay  in  like  manner;  prayer 
vas  put  up  in  his  behalf,  I  went  to  several  others 
n  like  manner;  but  they  not  bejng  set  at  liberty, 
went  down  stairs  and  found  that  the  slain  and 
mounded  lay  all  through  the  house.  I  found 
tumbers,  both  men  and  women,  dispersed  through 
he  congregation.  By  this  time  we  concluded,  it 
/as  time  for  public  service  to  begin;  but  it  was 
greed  that  the  doors  should  not  be  opened,  and 


198  A  powerful  Love-feast. 


we  therefore dispensed  wi th  public  preaching.  This 
meeting  began  at  nine  o'clock,  and  continued  until 
sun  about  two  hours  high.  Some  were  justified, 
and  others  sanctified;  but  what  number  of  either, 
will  be  a  secret  until  the  day  of  eternity. 

From  Bethel  we  went  to  Crosswicks  quarterly- 
meeting  in  Burlington  circuit.  Saturday  we  had 
preaching  and  some  exhortations,  settled  our  tem- 
poral affairs,  and  made  ready  for  the  approach- 
ing Sabbath.  I  went  home  with  Brother  Lovel, 
where  we  continued  singing  and  praying  until 
about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening ;  during  I 
which  time  two  souls  were  justified,  and  two 
sanctified.  Next  day  our  love-feast  began  ;  but 
the  people  did  not  speak  so  lively  as  1  could  have 
wished.  After  love-feast  I  preached,  and  the 
Lord  was  precious  to  some  souls:  then  Brother 
Lovel  gave  an  exhortation,  and  one  found  Him  of 
whom  Moses  and  the  prophets  wrote,  and  several 
cried  and  wept. 

I  went  from  Crosswicks  to  Trenton  quarterly- 
meeting;  after  preaching  and  exhortation  on  the 
Saturday,  we  dismissed  the  congregation ;  and 
the  preachers,  stewards,  leaders,  &c.  settled  the 
temporal  concerns  of  the  circuit. 

Next  day  Brother  Merrick  opened  the  love- 
feast,  and  many  spoke  very  feelingly.  One 
young  man  was  so  wrought  upon  that  he  trem- 
bled every  joint  in  him,  to  such  a  degree  that  he 
shook  the  bench  on  which  he  sat.  I  then  looked 
around  and  saw  four  or  five  lying  on  the  floor; 
I  left  the  pulpit  and  went  to  them  and  prayed  for 
them:  we  had  a  precious  time.  After  our  love- 
feast  ended,  Brother  G.  preached,  and  Brother 
M.  gave  an  exhortation;  but  there  did  not  appear 
any  move  among  the  people. 


He  makes  Calvinism  tremble.  \99 


Next  day  I  took  my  circuit,  and  went  to 
Brother  C.'s,  where  we  had  a  crowded  house,  and 
among  them  a  Baptist  preacher.  Here  I  tore  up 
Calvinism  with  ail  my  power.  I  met  class,  and 
we  had  a  precious  time;  some  seemed  lost  in  the 
ocean  of  redeeming  love.  One  woman,  who  had 
been  sanctified  some  years  before  when  I  was  at 
this  place,  was  now  as  happy  as  she  could  live, 
having  never  lost  the  witness  from  that  time  to 
the  present. 

I  went  on  to  another  appointment  and  preached 
with  life  and  power,  and  God  attended  the  word 
with  the  energy  of  his  Spirit.  Several  fell  to  the 
floor,  and  others  ran  out  of  the  house;  some  pro- 
fessed sanctitication,  and  others  experienced  jus- 
tification under  preaching.  I  met  class,  and  we 
had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  the  Lord.  After 
meeting  I  went  to  Brother  Pyle's. 

Next  day  I  had  a  very  small  congregation  of 
about  six  or  seven  persons,  and  found  them  very- 
dead  with  regard  to  religion.  But  at  my  next 
appointment  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation 
in  Monmouth  meeting-house,  where  I  endea- 
voured to  make  old  Calvinism  tremble.  After 
preaching  I  met  class  and  found  them  very  dull. 

My  next  appointment  was  at  Squankhum, 
where  I  had  a  large  congregation.  Here  a  man, 
who  had  been  for  a  long  time  under  affliction, 
was  brought  to  meeting  on  a  bed  in  a  waggon, 
being  fully  persuaded  in  his  mind,  that  if  he 
could  get  to  this  meeting  and  hear  old  Abbott 
preach,  that  the  Lord  would  convert  his  soul;  he 
lay  on  the  bed,  and  cried  and  prayed  all  the  time 
of  preaching.  I  met  class,  and  when  I  spoke  to 
him  he  told  me  his  exercise,  and  his  belief  that 
God  would  set  his  soul  at  liberty.    I  then  said, 


200  Preaches  in  the  Street. 


"Let  us  ]>ray;"  we  kneeled  down  and  prayed, 
and  according  to  his  faith  so  it  was,  for  the  Lord 
set  his  soul  at  liberty  from  sin  and  guilt. 

At  my  next  appointment  I  preached,  and  we 
had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  God.  I  met  class, 
and  we  had  a  precious  season  among  them ;  a  few 
joined  society. 

Our  quarterly-meeting  was  held  at  Long 
Branch.  On  the  Saturday  there  appeared  some 
little  move  among  the  people;  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing our  love-feast  commenced,  and  several  spoke 
very  feelingly.  I  arose  and  gave  them  an  exhor- 
tation, and  the  Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand, 
and  sent  the  word  with  energy,  like  a  two-edged 
sword,  to  their  hearts;  and  they  fell  before  the 
Lord  like  Dagon  before  the  ark,  or  like  men 
slain  in  battle.  Speaking  their  experiences  was 
now  at  end  ;  the  place  was  rilled  with  acclamations 
of  prayer  and  praise;  some  cried  for  mercy, 
others  for  clean  hearts,  and  many  were  praising 
God  for  his  glorious  power  and  grace;  several 
professed  sanctification,  and  others  justification. 
We  had  a  blessed  time,  and  our  meeting  ended  in 
great  harmony. 

I  desired  the  people  to  give  out  preaching  for 
me  at  Shrewsbury,  a  town  in  which  the  Quakers, 
Baptists,  Presbyterians,  and  Episcopalians,  each 
had  a  house  of  public  worship;  but  they  all,  as 
■with  one  accord,  refused  me  the  liberty  of  their 
houses.  I  then  directed  that  it  should  be  given 
out  for  me  to  preach  in  the  street,  which  was 
done.  When  I  came  to  the  place  I  found  a 
large  congregation;  some  judged  that  there  were 
five  hundred  people  present.  I  preached  with 
great  liberty,  they  gave  great  attention,  God  at- 
tended the  word  with  power,  and  many  tears 


An  old  Quaker  awakened.  201 


were  shed,  although  in  the  street.  Street  preach- 
ing, and  preaching  in  the  fields  and  woods,  is 
often  made  the  most  successful. 

I  went  home  with  Brother  M.  and  next  day- 
preached  to  a  crowded  house  with  lilierty  :  the 
power  of  the  Lord  arrested  a  young  Quaker,  and 
he  fell  to  the  floor  as  if  he  had  been  shot :  his 
mother  being  present  cried  out,  "  My  son  is  dead ! 
my  son  is  dead  I"  I  replied,  "Mammy,  your  son 
is  not  dead;  look  to  yourself,  mammy,  your  son 
is  not  dead;"  and  in  a  few  minutes  we  had  a 
number  slain  before  the  Lord.  An  old  Quaker 
man  stood  with  tears  in  his  eyes;  I  said  to  him, 
"Daddy,  look  to  yourself,  this  was  the  way  with 
you  when  you  had  the  life  and  power  of  God 
among  you.  Read  Sewell's  History  of  the  Peo- 
ple called  Quakers,  and  you  will  find  there  that 
John  Alldtand,  B  young  man,  was  preaching  in  a 
field  near  Bristol,  and  the  people  fell  to  the 
ground  before  him,  and  cried  out  under  the 
mighty  power  of  God."  The  man  of  the  house 
brought  the  book,  and  read  the  passage  before  the 
congregation,  and  he  then  acknowledged  it  to  be 
the  work  of  the  Lord. 

I  attempted  to  meet  class,  but  did  not  speak  to 
above  two  or  three,  when  the  people  fell  before 
the  Lord  as  men  slain  in  battle,  and  we  had  the 
shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp  of  Jesus;  two  or 
three  professed  that  God  had  sanctified  their 
souls.  The  young  Quaker  and  several  others, 
professed  that  God  had  set  their  souls  at  liberty; 
several  joined  society,  and  we  had  a  precious 
time. 

When  I  went  on  that  circuit  there  were  about 
six  or  seven  in  society  at  that  place,  and  when  I 
left  it,  there  were  about  thirty-six;  six  or  seven 


202     A  young  man  frightens  the  wicked. 

of  whom  had  been  Quakers.  At  this  place  our 
meetings  were  generally  so  powerful,  that  I  never 
regularly  met  the  class  during  the  time  I  was  on 
the  circuit;  for  we  always  had  the  shout  of  a 
king  in  the  camp  of  Jesus.    Glory  to  God.' 

I  preached  at  the  Falls ;  the  man  of  the  house 
was  a  Methodist,  and  the  woman  a  Presbyterian. 
We  had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  God.  I  met 
class,  and  we  had  a  powerful  time.  I  impressed 
the  doctrine  of  sanctification  on  them:  two 
young  women  fell  to  the  floor,  and  one  young 
man  fell  backward  off  the  bench  and  made  such 
a  strange  noise  that  he  frightened  the  wicked 
all  into  a  huddle  in  a  corner;  for  as  he  lay  near 
the  door  they  had  no  way  to  make  their  escape. 
Both  the  girls  professed  sanctification,  and  the 
young  man  professed  to  be  justified. 

I  visited  New  Brunswick,  where  we  had  no  so- 
ciety; but  God  raised  up  one  of  nine  members, 
while  I  remained  on  the  circuit.  May  the  Lord 
increase  their  number.  I  preached  also  at  Prince- 
ton, where  I  endeavoured  to  pull  old  Calvin's 
errors  to  pieces.  There  the  Lord  raised  up  a  so- 
ciety of  nine  persons  more  before  I  left  the 
circuit.    Glory  to  God. 

Our  quarterly-meeting  was  held  at  Brother 
H's.  Brother  G.  preached,  and  Brother  M.  gave 
an  exhortation.  In  our  love-feast,  our  friends 
spoke  very  feelingly,  several  testified  that  God 
had  sanctified  their  souls  while  I  had  been  on 
the  circuit;  and  a  number  of  others,  that  God 
had  justified  them  freely.  After  love-feast,  find- 
ing the  congregation  was  large,  we  thought  it 
best  to  retire  to  the  woods,  where  Brother  G. 
stood  in  a  waggon  and  preached  to  the  people; 
after  him  Brother  M.  gave  an  exhortation:  when 


An  account  of  the  number  sanctified.  203 


he  had  done,  I  arose  and  gave  another,  and  the 
Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand,  and  he  slew  eight 
or  ten,  who  fell  to  the  earth  under  the  mighty 
power  of  God;  but  my  strength  being  exhausted, 
and  no  one  speaking  after  me,  the  meeting  broke 
up. 

We  had  many  blessed  times  while  I  rode  that 
circuit,  which  was  about  six  months." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Eastern  shore  of  Maryland— Remarks— Shout  after  shout— 
They  fall  like  men  slain  in  battle— Some  overcome  and 
filled  with  redeeming  love — Numbers  fall  and  the  wicked 
fly — Extraordinary  singing — Great  work  in  a  family — 
Ocean  of  redeeming  love — Remarkable  love-feast. 

Sixce  I  have  been  a  preacher,  I  have  kept  an 
account  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-four  souls 
that  I  have  seen  sanctified.  When  I  rode  Cecil 
circuit  I  saw  thirty  sanctified,  and  forty-three 
justified.  When  I  was  moved  to  Kent  circuit, 
the  Lord  began  to  work  powerfully.  In  twelve 
weeks  God  sanctified  about  fifty,  and  justified 
many.  For  fifteen  meetings  in  succession,  some 
were  either  justified  or  sanctified.     We  had 


*  Mr.  Abbott  left  the  Jerseys  about  the  last  of  September, 
1793,  and  the  compiler  finds,  by  the  minutes  for  that  year, 
that  he  was  appointed  to  labour  in  the  Cecil  circuit.  State  of 
Maryland;  but  how  long  he  laboured  there  the  compiler  is 
not  able  to  determine,  from  any  thing  that  appears  in  the 
manuscripts.  In  the  minutes  for  the  year  1794,  he  likewise 
stands  on  the  Cecil  circuit;  but  from  the  manuscripts  we  find 
that  he  laboured  on  Kent  circuit ;  but  how  long  he  laboured 
there,  it  appears  uncertain.  He  returned  home  unable  to 
travel,  about  the  last  of  May  or  the  first  of  June,  1795.  It 
appears  that  he  spent  the  most,  if  not  all  of  his  time,  during 
those  years,  when  health  permitted,  on  tho  above  circuits. 


204         Both  Saint  and  Sinner  weep. 


shout  after  shout,  and  the  Lord  slew  them  like 
men  slain  in  battle.* 

May  10,  1794 — I  met  class,  and  had  a  melting 
time.  At  night  the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth ; 
the  slain  lay  before  him. 

Sunday  11  I  had  a  melting  time   in  the 

morning,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  peaceable  waiting 
before  the  Lord.  At  night  the  Lord  laid  to  his 
helping  hand,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp,  so 
that  the  noise  might  be  heard  a  great  way  off. 
I  took  cold,  and  was  very  unwell  for  some  days. 

Thursday  15  I  met  class,  and  had  a  melting 

time.  At  night  the  Lord  opened  the  windows  of 
heaven,  and  from  the  skies  poured  down  righteous- 
ness, so  that  the  people  fell  before  him,  and  the 
cries  of  the  wounded  were  great. 

Saturday  17 — I  went  to  Brother  R.'s  to 
preach;  but  being  unwell,  I  got  Brother  D. 
Abbott  to  preach.  I  met  the  class,  and  God 
poured  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  both 
saint  and  sinner  wept. 

Sunday  13  I  preached,  and  God  poured  out 

his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  fell  before 
him  like  men  slain  in  battle.  This  alarmed  the 
wicked,  and  they  fled  for  the  door;  but  God  was 
too  strong  for  some  of  them,  who  were  left  behind 
weeping  for  their  sins.  I  was  obliged  to  leave 
the  slain,  in  order  to  attend  my  afternoon  ap- 


•The  compiler  is  sorry  the  manuscripts  do  not  contain  a 
more  minute  account  of  the  lahours  of  Air.  Abbott  in  those 
places.  There  can  be  no  doubt  but  many  things  must  have 
occurred  in  that  period  worthy  of  note,  as  it  contains  his  la- 
hours  from  September,  179.'!,  to  May,  1794. 

It  may  be  observed,  that  from  this  time  Mr.  Abbott  hai 
been  more  particular  in  giving  dates,  than  in  any  other  parti 
of  his  labours. 


Three  children  and  a  negro  girl  converted.  205 

pointment,  where  I  met  a  large  congregation,  to 
whom  I  preached,  and  had  a  peaceable  waiting 
upon  the  Lord.  After  preaching,  at  the  Lord's 
table,  we  had  a  melting  time.  I  went  home  with 
Brother  M'C. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Chester- Town,  and  at 
night  held  a  prayer-meeting.  AVe  had  a  power- 
ful time,  and  one  soul  was  set  at  liberty. 

Tuesday  20  I   rode  to  Brother '  C.'s,  and 

preached  to  a  hard-hearted  people. 

Next  day  I  preached  at  Brother  Miller's,  and 
the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth;  some  wept,  and 
others  rejoiced.  Brother  M.  informed  me  that 
God  had  converted  his  three  children  and  a  negro 
girl,  the  night  before;  and  I  heard  them  tell  of 
the  Lord's  dealings  and  goodness  to  their  souls. 
In  class,  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present;  one 
was  slain,  and  divers  others  were  so  overcome 
and  rilled  with  redeeming  love,  that  they  could 
hold  no  more.  Glory  to  God,  this  was  a  good 
time  to  many,  and  I  was  happy  in  my  own 
soul. 

Next  day  we  had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  the 
Lord,  both  under  the  word  and  in  class.  In  the 
evening  the  power  of  the  Lord  slew  one,  and 
when  he  revived  he  testified  that  God  had  saved 
his  soul,  and  cried  out,  "O  that  I  had  wings  that 
I  might  fly  to  Jesus  !  O  that  I  could  die  to  be 
with  my  Jesus!"  clapping  his  hands  and  shout- 
ing glory  to  God. 

May  25 — AVe  had  a  melting  time;  both  saints 
and  sinners  wept  under  the  word.  In  the  after- 
noon I  preached  from  these  words,  "  To  you  that 
fear  my  name,  shall  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
arise  with  healiiig  in  his  wings,  and  ye  shall  go 
forth  and  grow  up  as  calves  of  the  stall."  God 


206         Three  had  their  sins  pardoned. 


attended  the  word  with  the  energy  of  his  Holy 
Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  numbers  fell  to  the 
floor,  and  found  Him  of  whom  Moses  and  the 
prophets  did  write.  The  wicked  flew  to  the  door; 
glory  to  God,  there  was  a  shaking  among  the  dry 
bones,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp  of  Israel. 
In  family  prayer  the  Lord  was  among  us  of  a 
truth;  one  fell  to  the  floor  and  cried  for  mercy. 
Glory  to  God,  the  place  was  glorious  because  of 
his  presence,  and  my  soul  was  happy  in  my 
God. 

Next  day  we  held  a  prayer-meeting  in  the 
evening,  and  several  were  struck  to  the  floor  by 
the  power  of  God,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the 
camp. 

May  27. — At  night  we  had  a  prayer-meeting, 
and  the  God  of  love  was  present  in  the  power  and 
energy  of  his  Holy  Spirit.  Many  cried  out,  and 
several  fell  to  the  floor  and  besought  God  to  have 
mercy  on  their  souls ;  three  bore  testimony  that 
God  had  pardoned  all  their  sins ;  one  lay  near  an 
hour  as  though  she  had  been  dead,  and  then  came 
to,  and  sung  with  such  a  melodious  note  as  I 
never  had  heard  before.  The  voice  seemed  as  if 
four  or  five  were  singing  together,  but  upon  ex- 
amining them  no  one  had  sung  with  her,  neither 
did  they  understand  the  tune,  notwithstanding 
they  all  distinctly  heard  it,  as  if  four  or  five  were 
singing.  She  then  seemed  to  die  away  again,  and 
when  she  came  to,  sang  as  before,  this  was  re- 
peated several  times;  at  length  she  arose  from 
the  floor,  praising  God  for  her  deliverance,  declar- 
ing his  goodness  to  her  soul.  It  was  a  good 
time,  sinners  trembled,  and  saints  rejoiced,  and 
my  soul  was  happy. 

Next  day  the  Lord  laid  to  his  hand,  and  sane- 


Three  sisters  saved. 


207 


tified  one  soul  and  justified  another  in  a  powerful 
manner. 

May  30  I  preached,  and  the  power  of  the 

Lord  was  present  in  such  a  manner,  that  several 
fell  to  the  floor.  The  cries  and  lamentations  of 
the  wounded  and  distressed  were  great. 

June  1. — I  preached  in  town  in  the  morning, 
we  had  a  melting  time,  many  wept.  In  the  after, 
noon  the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit,  and  the  slain 
fell  before  him  like  dead  men ;  others  lay  as  in 
the  agonies  of  death,  entreating  God  to  have 
mercy  on  their  souls  ;  some  found  peace.  Glory 
to  God,  many  in  this  town  seemed  alarmed  of 
their  danger;  may  God  increase  their  number. 
A  girl,  who  lived  with  a  Quaker,  was  cut  to  the 
heart  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  did  not  know 
how  to  get  her  home;  I  went  to  see  her,  and 
found  many  round  her,  both  white  and  black. 
She  lay  as  one  near  her  last  gasp ;  I  kneeled 
down  and  besought  God  for  her  deliverance,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  she  broke  out  in  raptures  of  joy, 
crying  out,  "Let  me  go  to  Jesus,"  repeating  it 
several  times,  then  she  arose  and  went  home. 
Glory  to  God  for  what  my  eyes  saw,  my  ears 
heard,  and  soul  felt  that  day  of  the  blessed  Spirit; 
the  meeting  continued  from  three  o'clock  until 
evening. 

Two  young  women,  at  a  certain  place  and  time, 
sitting  in  their  father's  house,  said  one  unto  the 
other,  "  If  mammy  had  religion,  I  should  get  it 
too."  The  Lord  struck  her  with  conviction  in 
such  a  manner,  that  she  cried  so  loud  for  mercy, 
that  she  alarmed  all  the  house  with  her  cries,  and 
thus  she  continued  until  three  of  her  sisters  were 
all  struck  with  the  same  conviction  for  sin.  Their 
tries  to  God  continued  nearly  forty-eight  hours, 


208 


Sis,'  souls  set  at  liberty. 


with  little  intermission,  when  God  in  his  infinite 
mercy  set  two  of  their  souls  at  liberty,  to  rejoice 
in  his  pardoning  love.  Another  of  them  came  to 
town  and  met  me,  and  I  went  home  with  her. 
As  we  were  riding  along  the  road,  she  being 
under  sore  distress  of  soul,  cried  aloud  for  mercy, 
and  God  broke  in  upon  her  soul  in  such  a  manner, 
that  she  clapped  her  hands  and  cried,  "  Glory  to 
God  in  the  highest."  There  was  another  young 
woman  in  the  carriage  with  her,  and  the  power 
of  God  struck  her  in  so  wonderful  a  manner, 
that  she  lost  the  use  of  her  limbs,  and  lay  about 
an  hour;  when  she  came  to,  her  first  words  were. 
"Is  this  perfect  love?"  In  time  of  prayer  at  the 
meeting  we  attended,  God  poured  out  his  Spirit 
in  such  a  manner,  that  several  fell  to  the  floor, 
with  such  cries  and  screeches,  that  a  solemn  awe 
sat  upon  every  face,  and  before  the  meeting 
ended,  six  souls  were  set  at  liberty  to,  rejoice  in 
the  Rock  of  Ages,  thanks  be  to  God. 

Monday,  June  2nd  In  prayer-meeting  in  the 

evening,  the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth.  Next 
day  I  preached,  and  had  a  melting  time;  at  night 
the  Lord  was  with  us  in  power,  and  we  had  a 
proper  shout.  "Rejoice  greatly,  O  daughter  of 
Zion;  shout,  O  daughter  of  Jerusalem:  behold, 
thy  King  cometh  unto  thee:  lie  is  just,  and 
having  salvation."  (Zech.  i.\.  0.) 

June  4  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  laid  to  his 

almighty  power;  several  fell  to  the  floor,  some 
professed  sanctification,  and  two  to  be  justified. 
Believers  were  built  up  in  their  most  holy  faith. 

June  5  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  poured  out 

his  Spirit  in  mighty  power;  the  cry  of  mourners 
was  so  great,  that  the  noise  might  have  been 
heard  afar  off.    Several  were  set  at  liberty  from 


Very  remarkable  Love-feast.  203 

the  bondage  of  sin  and  Satan,  and  were  made 
partakers  of  that  love  which  makes  glad  the  city 
of  God.  One  professed  sanctilieation,  and  several 
were  awakened;  thanks  be  to  the  Most  High. 

June  G  The  Lord,  under  the  word,  poured 

out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  three  or 
four  found  peace,  and  two  professed  sanctification. 
Believers  were  built  up,  and  it  was  a  good  day  to 
many  souls.  At  night  we  had  a  proper  shout, 
one  fell  to  the  floor,  and  lay  as  if  she  were  dead, 
and  when  she  came  to,  she  shouted  and  gave 
glory  to  God  for  her  deliverance. 

I  met  class  at  Sister  Brown's.  There  we  had 
a  powerful  time,  several  were  lost  as  in  the  ocean 
of  redeeming  love.  Glory  to  God  for  ever,  one 
was  sanctified  in  a  powerful  manner  at  that  meet- 
ing; and  in  the  evening  we  had  a  melting  time. 
The  Lord  filled  one  of  our  sisters  with  perfect 
love,  in  the  carriage  as  she  was  returning  home, 
in  such  a  manner,  that  she  lost  both  the  power  of 
her  body  and  speech  ;  but  when  she  recovered 
herself,  she  said  that  God  had  given  her  a  clean 
heart,  and  had  filled  her  soul  with  love. 

Sunday,  June  8 — We  held  a  love-feast,  and 
the  Lord  laid  his  helping  hand  upon  us,  and 
poured  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  not 
one  soul  spoke  their  experience  in  the  love-feast. 
Sinners  trembled  and  fell  to  the  floor,  while  chris- 
tians shouted  praises  to  God  and  the  Lamb  for 
ever.  One  lay  as  if  she  were  dead,  numbers 
were  powerfully  wrought  upon.  This  was  a 
love-feast  indeed;  I  never  saw  but  one  like  it  be- 
fore, in  which  no  one  spoke  their  experience.  I 
preached  that  day  with  great  freedom  and. 
power. 


0 


210 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Shaking  among  the  dry  hones — Some  sanctified— He  leaves 
the  slain — A  day  that  will  long  be  remembered— A  shout 
— The  work  mightily  increases— Ocean  of  God's  love — A 
good  day  to  himself— Many  seem  lost  in  the  ocean  of  re- 
deeming love-^Stones  thrown — Great  work,  and  several 
flee— His  ow»  heart  swallowed  up  in  redeeming  love. 

Monday  9 — I  held  a  prayer-meeting,  and  the 
Lord  manifested  his  love  amongst  us.  There 
was  a  shaking  among  the  dry  bones.  One  lav  as 
if  she  were  dead  for  near  two  hours,  and  then  came 
to  with  praises  to  God  for  her  deliverance,  with 
great  raptures  of  joy.  The  children  of  God 
were  filled  with  joy  unspeakable.  How  inex- 
pressible are  the  pleasures  of  those  who  are  filled 
with  the  raptures  of  a  Saviour's  love — ecstatic 
pause  !  silence  heightens  heaven. 

Friday  13 — I  held  prayer-meeting,  and  the 
power  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  the  people  in  such  a 
manner,  that  the  slain  lay  all  over  the  floor. 
Several  were  converted  to  God,  one  or  two  pro- 
fessed sanctification.  Glory  to  God,  he  carried 
on  his  own  work. 

Saturday  14 — I  preached,  and  had  a  melting 
time.  I  met  class,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord 
came  down,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp  of 
the  Lord. 

Sunday  15  The  Lord  attended  the  word  with 

power,  and  divers  fell  before  him  like  Dagon  be- 
fore the  ark.  I  was  obliged  to  leave  the  slain  on 
the  floor,  in  order  to  attend  my  next  appointment, 
where  I  found  a  large  congregation,  to  whom  I 
preached;  in  class  we  had  a  melting  time,  and  a 
shout  in  the  camp.    It  was  a  day  of  his  power; 


Mighty  shaking  among  the  dry  bones.  211 

he  worked  and  none  could  hinder  him.  Next 
day  I  preached  at  a  new  place,  and  had  a  favoured 
time;  some  sighed,  others  groaned,  and  many- 
wept. 

Tuesday  17  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  at- 
tended the  word  with  power,  several  were  cut  to 
the  heart,  and  one  found  peace  to  her  soul. 
Blessed  be  God,  he  has  not  forgotten  to  be  gra- 
cious.   "They  that  seek  shall  find." 

Wednesday  18. — This  was  a  day  of  power;  I 
preached,  and  the  Lord  attended  the  word  with 
the  energy  of  his  Spirit.  Saint  and  sinner  felt 
his  power;  numbers  cried  aloud  for  mercy,  and 
several  found  Him  of  whom  Moses  and  the  pro- 
phets wrote.  One  lay  as  in  the  agony  of  death 
for  some  time,  but  glory  to  God,  he  set  his  soul 
at  liberty,  whereby  he  was  enabled  to  rejoice  in 
his  glorious  love. 

Thursday  19  I  preached  to  a  few,  but  there 

was  nothing  done  to  speak  of.  However,  I  found 
peace  in  my  own  soul.  At  evening  I  met  class, 
and  the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth,  we  had  a 
shout  in  the  camp  of  Jesus. 

Sunday  22 — I  preached  with  life  and  power, 
and  the  Lord  manifested  his  presence  amongst  us, 
some  cried  for  mercy,  and  a  solemn  awe  sat  on 
many  faces.  I  went  to  my  next  appointment, 
and  preached  to  a  large  congregation.  The  Lord 
laid  to  his  helping  hand,  and  there  was  a  mighty 
shaking  among  the  dry  bones,  divers  persons  lay 
through  the  house  as  dead  men  and  women,  slain 
by  the  mighty  power  of  God.  The  same  Jesus  who 
raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead,  raised  up  nine  per- 
sons that  we  could  ascertain,  to  praise  him  as  a 
sin-pardoning  God;  and  how  many  more  that  we 
could  not  ascertain,  God  only  knows,  for  many 
o  2 


212  Several  lay  as  if  in  the  agony  of  death. 

wept,  and  some  shouted  praises  to  God  and  the 
Lamb  :  glory  to  God,  this  was  a  day  that  will 
long  be  remembered  by  many  precious  souls. 
Some  were  so  filled  and  running  over  with  perfect 
love,  that  as  they  returned  home  they  shouted 
praises  to  God  as  they  went  on  their  way.  I  was 
as  happy  as  I  could  live  in  the  body. 

Monday  23. — I  held  a  prayer-meeting,  and  it 
was  a  good  time  to  many ;  some  were  so  filled 
with  the  love  of  God  that  it  took  away  the  use  of 
their  limbs,  and  they  lay  on  the  floor  as  happy  as 
they  could  live,  rejoicing  in  the  God  and  Rock  of 
their  salvation.  We  had  at  that  time  about 
twelve  children  on  the  circuit  who  were  happy  in 
religion,  and  the  Lord  was  doing  great  things  for 
many.    My  soul  was  on  the  wing. 

Tuesday  24. — I  held  another  prayer-meeting, 
and  had  a  powerful  time.  Next  day  I  met  class, 
and  we  had  a  melting  time.  At  night  I  preached, 
and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  present  to  the  joy 
of  his  children,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  assem- 
bly. "Cry  out  and  shout,  thou  inhabitant  of 
Zion  :  for  great  is  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the 
midst  of  thee."  (Isa.  xii.  0.) 

Thursday  26  We  had  an  awful  time,  num- 
bers cried  out  for  mercy,  and  the  Lord  set  some 
at  liberty  to  rejoice  in  his  redeeming  love.  "Let 
thy  priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  with  salva- 
tion, and  let  thy  saints  rejoice  in  goodness." 
(2  Chron.  vi.  41.) 

Friday  27  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  laid  to 

his  almighty  arm  of  power  in  such  a  manner, 
that  several  lay  as  if  in  the  agony  of  death,  some 
trembled,  and  others  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  Glory 
to  the  eternal  God,  he  slays  and  he  makes  alive. 
In  his  mercy  he  set  several  at  liberty,  to  rejoice 


A  day  of  days  to  many  souls.  213 

in  redeeming  love.  This  was  a  day  of  his  power 
to  many  souls,  and  my  soul  was  happy. 

Sunday  29 — I  preached  twice,  as  usual,  on  the 
Sabbath  :  in  the  morning  we  had  a  precious  time, 
and  in  the  afternoon  we  had  the  shout  of  a  king 
in  the  camp.  Some  were  rejoicing  in  redeeming 
love,  and  others  were  crying  in  bitterness  of  soul, 
for  mercy  at  the  hand  of  God;  while  the  power 
of  the  Lord  slew  others,  as  men  cut  down  in 
battle.  It  was  a  day  of  days  to  many  souls. 
Glory  to  the  eternal  God  !  This  meeting  con- 
tinued from  three  o'clock  until  evening. 

July  3  I  preached,  and  had  a  precious  time; 

then  I  met  class,  and  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
was  amongst  us.  "  For  the  Lord  thy  God  walked 
in  the  midst  of  thy  camp  to  deliver  thee."  (Deut. 
xxiii.  14.)  Next  day  the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a 
truth  ;  one  was  set  at  liberty,  and  several  of  the 
friends  seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  God's  love. 
In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  melting  time  among 
the  friends.  At  night  we  held  a  prayer-meeting, 
and  many  were  slain  before  the  Lord  ;  one  pro- 
fessed to  be  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  another 
professed  sanctification.  This  was  a  time  to  my 
soul  long  to  be  remembered  ;  and  I  trust  it  will 
be  remembered  by  many  others.  This  meeting 
continued  until  near  three  o'clock. 

Friday  4 — I  preached  from  1  John  iv.  16, 
"God  is  love."  It  was  a  time  of  love  indeed; 
for  divers  of  God's  dear  children  were  lost  in  the 
ocean  of  redeeming  grace;  and  the  God  of  love 
spoke  peace  to  three  souls.  That  day  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  my  soul ;  though  I  was  weak  in 
body,  I  was  strong  in  spirit. 

Sunday  (J — I  preached  in  the  morning,  and  it 
was  a  good  time  to  many ;  several  cried  aloud, 


214       He  preaches  a  Funeral  Sermon. 

some  seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  love, 
and  I  was  so  happy,  that  I  could  hardly  refrain 
from  crying  out.  In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  large 
congregation,  and  the  devil  got  angry,  and  made 
one  of  his  servants  throw  some  stones.  We  had 
a  happy  time  in  class;  afterwards  I  went  home 
with  one  of  our  friends  and  held  a  prayer-meet- 
ing, and  the  Master  of  Assemblies  was  with  us. 

Monday  evening,  I  held  a  prayer-meeting,  and 
had  a  melting  time ;  some  of  the  friends  were  lost  as 
in  wonder,  love,  and  praise.  The  next  day  I  held 
a  prayer-meeting  again,  and  the  Lord  was  with 
us.  Some  cried  out,  "  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul !  and  all  that  is  within  me,  praise  his  holy 
name."  The  next  day,  likewise,  I  held  a  prayer- 
meeting,  and  we  had  a  comfortable  time. 

Friday  11. — I  preached  a  funeral  sermon,  and 
the  Lord  was  present  with  us.  At  night  I  held 
a  prayer-meeting,  and  we  had  a  melting  time. 
The  next  day  the  Lord  was  with  us  in  a  powerful 
manner;  some  cried  out,  and  others  were  lost  in 
the  ocean  of  love,  and  I  was  happy  in  my  own 
soul ;  blessed  be  God,  he  has  not  forgotten  to  be 
gracious. 

Sunday  13  In  the  forenoon  I  preached  to  a 

large  congregation,  and  the  Lord  laid  to  his  help- 
ing hand ;  some  lay  on  the  floor  as  in  the  agonies 
of  death,  others  were  crying  aloud  for  mercy,  and 
some  were  shouting  praises  to  God,  being  filled 
with  his  love.  Several  fled  out  of  the  house, 
choosing  rather  to  risk  their  lot  among  the 
damned,  than  to  expose  themselves  in  the  congre- 
gation, by  asking  mercy  at  the  hand  of  God. 
The  Lord  set  one  soul  at  liberty,  another  pro- 
fessed sanctification.  The  Lord's  hand  is  not 
shortened.    In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  my  other 


A  miracle  of  grace. 


215 


appointment,  where  I  met  a  large  congregation, 
to  whom  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  made  bare  his 
arm  in  such  a  manner,  that  there  whs  a  shaking 
among  the  dry  hones;  some  cried  aloud,  others 
were  happy  in  God.  Glory  to  his  dear  name,  my 
soul  was  happy. 

Monday  14 — I  preached,  and  had  a  melting 
time;  sinners  were  cut  to  the  heart,  believers 
were  transported  with  the  presence  of  God,  and 
my  heart  was  swallowed  up  in  redeeming  love. 
I  joined  ten  in  society;  may  God  record  their 
names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  !  In  the  even- 
ing I  preached  again,  and  the  Lord  poured  out 
his  Spirit,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp  of 
Israel. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Great  distress — Himself  happy — Several  baptized  in  the 
fountain  of  love—lie  is  filled — Many  slain— Some  seemed 
lost  in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  love — Remarkable  experi- 
ence—  Glorious  class  meeting — The  God  of  Elijah  an- 
twereth  by  fire. 

Next  day,  under  preaching,  the  power  of  God 
was  with  us  in  such  a  manner,  that  some  wept, 
and  others  seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love. 
One  professed  sanctification,  and  another  was  so 
struck  by  the  mighty  power  of  God,  that  she 
shook  from  head  to  foot  as  in  the  agony  of  death, 
for  near  the  space  of  two  hours;  sometimes  cry- 
ing to  God  for  mercy,  at  other  times,  that  her 
leart  would  break ;  at  length  her  strength  failed, 
ind  she  lay  for  a  time  like  one  dead  :  when  she 
same  to,  she  praised  God  for  her  deliverance, 
vhile  many  stood  round  her  amazed.  Glory  to 
>od  for  a  miracle  of  grace !    I  was  so  happy  that 


216    Mighty  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 


I  could  hardly  utter  a  sentence,  until  God  with- 
drew his  hand  a  little.  Were  we  to  be  thus 
always  happy,  we  should  be  disqualified  for  earth 
or  worldly  things.  O,  what  raptures  shall  we 
have  in  heaven ! 

Wednesday  16. — I  preached,  and  the  Lord 
poured  out  his  Spirit,  both  under  the  word  and  in 
class,  in  so  wonderful  a  manner,  that  a  woman 
lay  under  the  mighty  operation  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  as  one  dead,  for  near  the  space  of  three 
hours:  several  felt  her  hands  and  arms,  and  they 
were  apparently  cold  as  if  she  had  been  dead  and 
laid  out;  but,  glory  to  God,  when  he,  by  his 
Spirit,  revived  her,  she  could  testify  that  he  had 
sanctified  her  soul,  and  filled  her  with  joy  un- 
speakable. Several  of  the  friends  were  baptized 
in  the  fountain  of  love;  and,  for  my  own  part,  I 
was  so  filled  with  the  love  of  God  that  I  could 
hold  no  more:  "It  was  good  measure,  pressed 
down,  and  shaken  together,  and  running  over." 
(Luke  vi.  38.)  I  adore  God  for  what  I  have  felt 
and  seen  ;  my  tongue  or  pen  can  never  express  it 
on  this  side  of  eternity. 

Saturday  19.— Our  quarterly-meeting  began, 
and  we  had  a  blessed  time  to  many  souls. 

Sunday  20  Our  meeting  began  at  six  o'clock 

in  the  morning,  and  when  we  had  sung  and 
prayed,  the  power  of  God  came  down  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  slain  lay  all  through  the  house. 
Some  seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  God's  love ; 
some  professed  justification,  and  others  that  God 
had  sanctified  their  souls.  This  meeting  was  so 
powerful,  that  but  one  attempted  to  speak  her 
experience  in  love-feast;  while  she  was  speaking, 
she  sunk  down,  crying  out,  "God  has  made  me 
all  lo^  e ! "    Immediately  the  house  was  filled  with 


A  woman  under  painful  experience.  217 

cries  and  praises  to  God;  some  trembled  and  were 
astonished. 

We  had  to  carry  the  slain  out  of  the  house  in 
order  to  make  room  that  the  people  might  come 
in  for  the  public  preaching.  And  when  we  had 
sung  and  prayed,  the  presence  of  the  Lord  came 
down  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and  the  house  was 
filled  with  his  glory;  the  people  fell  before  him 
like  men  slain  in  battle.  It  was  a  great  day  of 
God's  power  to  many  souls;  some  professed 
sanctifkation,  some  justification,  and  others 
were  lost  as  in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  love. 
This  was  a  day  of  days  to  my  soul.  The  windows 
being  open,  there  were  hundreds  outside  gazing 
at  those  in  the  house  who  were  slain  before  the 
Lord;  but  they  lay  both  in  the  house  and  out  of 
it.  Prayers  were  put  up  to  God,  both  within 
and  without  the  house,  in  behalf  of  the  penitents 
and  mourners.  I  trust  that  many  date  their  con- 
viction, and  others  their  conversion,  from  that 
quarterly-meeting. 

I  went  from  this  meeting  to  Brother  D.'s,  with 
some  other  friends,  where  we  joined  in  prayer, 
and  the  Lord,  glory  to  his  name,  poured  out  his 
Spirit  in  a  wonderful  manner  amongst  us.  I 
then  went  home  with  some  friends,  where  we 
sang  praises  to  God;  and  while  we  were  singing, 
the  power  of  God  fell  on  me  in  such  a  manner, 
that  I  cried  out;  the  power  reached  all  in  the 
room,  and  one  fell  to  the  floor,  crying  to  God; 
after  some  time  she  cried  out,  "I  see  Jesus!"  (re- 
peating it  several  times);  and  then,  "I  see  Moses 
and  Elias!  but  not  with  my  bodily  eyes."  She 
then  cried  out,  "I  am  going;  my  arms  are  dead; 
call  Mrs.  A."  When  Mrs.  A.  came,  she  told  her 
that  she  saw  her  mother  standing  in  white;  then 


218  A  powerful  Prayer-Meeting. 


gave  some  words  of  exhortation  to  repentance: 
she  then  died  away,  and  lay  in  that  state  about 
twenty  minutes;  afterwards  she  came  to,  and  de- 
clared that  the  Lord  had  sanctified  her  soul, 
praising  God  and  the  Lamb  in  raptures  of  joy. 
Another  fell  as  if  she  had  been  shot,  and  lay  some 
time;  when  she  came  to,  she  likewise  professed 
sanctifying  grace.  This  little  meeting  held  about 
four  hours. 

Monday,  I  held  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening, 
and  God  visited  us  in  such  a  manner,  that  several 
fell  to  the  floor;  some  professed  to  find  Him  of 
whom  Moses  and  the  prophets  wrote :  this  meet- 
ing held  until  three  in  the  morning. 

Tuesday,  I  met  class,  and  had  a  melting  time; 
the  members  seemed  swallowed  up  in  the  ocean 
of  love.  One  was  sanctified  in  a  powerful  man- 
ner; it  was  a  happy  time  to  my  soul.  In  the 
evening,  under  preaching,  the  Lord  set  the  soul 
of  one  at  liberty  to  rejoice  in  his  love.  "The 
shout  of  a  king  was  among  them."  (Num.  xxiii. 
21.) 

Wednesday,  under  the  word,  some  found  peace, 
and  one  experienced  sanctifying  grace ;  many 
were  lost,  as  in  the  ocean  of  love,  and  we  again 
had  the  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp. 

Thursday,  in  the  forenoon,  under  preaching, 
God  poured  out  his  Spirit  in  a  wonderful  man- 
ner; his  children  were  happy  in  his  love;  and  it 
was  a  good  time  to  my  own  soul.  In  the  even- 
ing we  had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  God. 
How  pleasant  is  it  to  be  found  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  when  the  blessed  Redeemer  is  with  us. 

Next  day  I  preached  and  met  class,  and  we  had 
a  precious  time  among  the  children  of  God. 
At  night  I  held  a  prayer-meeting,  and  the  power 


A  most  delightful  Love-Feast.  219 


of  the  Lord  was  present  among  us;  one  pro- 
fessed  justification,  and  God's  children  were 
built  up  in  their  most  holy  faith.  Nothing  is  so 
encouraging  to  a  minister  as  to  see  sinners  con- 
verted, and  the  people  of  God  going  forward  in 
their  journey  toward  the  heavenly  Canaan. 

Saturday  26 — I  went  to  quarterly-meeting, 
Dover  circuit,  Kent  county,  Delaware  state;  we 
had  a  happy  day. 

On  Sunday,  in  love-feast,  the  Lord  God  of 
Elijah,  who  answereth  by  fire,  poured  out  his 
Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  altar  of  the 
Christians'  hearts  was  all  in  a  flame  with  the 
seraphic  fire  of  love.  "Elijah  the  prophet  came 
near,  and  said,  Lord  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac, 
and  of  Israel,  let  it  be  known  this  day  that  thou 
art  God  in  Israel,  and  that  I  am  thy  servant,  &c. 
Hear  me,  O  Lord,  hear  me,  that  this  people  may 
know  that  thou  art  the  Lord  God,  &c.  Then 
the  fire  of  the  Lord  fell,  and  consumed  the  burnt 
sacrifice,  &c.  And  when  all  the  people  saw  it, 
they  fell  on  their  faces ;  and  they  said,  The  Lord, 
he  is  the  God !  the  Lord,  he  is  the  God." 
( I  Kings  xviii.  36 — 39. )  So  on  that  day,  when 
the  fire  of  the  Lord  came  down,  the  people  fell 
and  acknowledged  the  power  of  God:  and  the 
slain  lay  all  about  the  house;  some  were  carried 
out  as  dead  men  and  women ;  while  others  were 
lost  in  the  ocean  of  love,  shouting  praises  to  God 
and  the  Lamb.  The  house  was  filled  with  the 
glory  of  Israel's  God,  who  spoke  peace  to  mour- 
ners, while  sinners  were  cut  to  the  heart. 
Glory  to  God,  it  was  a  high  day  to  my  own  soul. 
It  was  thought  there  were  about  fifteen  hunch  ed 
looking  on  with  wortBer  and  amazement  at  the 
mighty  power  of  God,  which  caused  the  powers 


220         A  shout  in  the  camp  of  Israel. 

of  hell  to  shake  and  give  way;  many  of  the  spec- 
tators trembled  and  were  astonished;  a  number 
professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  others  sanctifying 
grace;  God's  dear  children  generally  were  re- 
freshed in  redeeming  love.  This  was  one  of  the 
days  of  the  Son  of  Man,  Glory  to  God,  saith  my 
soul. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Divers  plunged  in  the  ocean  of  love— Meeting  which  lasted 
four  hours — View  of  Jesus — The  place  glorious — Sacred 
flame  of  God's  love. 

Monday,  I  was  very  unwell,  but  happy  in  the 
love  of  God.  On  Tuesday,  in  family  prayer,  the 
power  of  God  came  wonderfully  down  upon  us; 
four  fell  to  the  floor;  and  they  found  Him  of 
whom  Moses  in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did 
write — Jesus  of  Nazareth — to  the  joy  of  their 
souls. 

Wednesday  30 — I  held  prayer-meeting,  and 
the  Lord  made  bare  his  almighty  power  to  the 
joy  of  his  children;  one  fell  to  the  floor,  divers 
were  plunged  into  the  ocean  of  love,  and  we  had 
a  shout  in  the  camp  of  Israel. 

Thursday,  I  met  class,  one  fell  to  the  floor  in- 
treating  God  for  mercy,  and  soon  lay  as  one  dead 
for  near  an  hour;  it  was  a  happy  time  to  the 
children  of  God. 

Friday,  August  1  I  preached,  and  had  a  good 

time;  met  class,  and  had  a  melting  time  amongst 
the  dear  children  of  God.  At  night,  after 
preaching,  I  dismissed  the  people,  but  they  would 
not  go  away;  perceiving  this,  I  gave  out  a  hymn 
and  went  to  prayer,  and  the  Lord  poured  out  his 


He  baptizes  a  child. 


221 


Spirit,  and  slew  them  as  men  slain  in  battle; 
some  lay  as  in  the  agonies  of  death:  some  were 
rejoicing  in  God;  others  were  crying  for  mercy  ; 
and,  blessed  be  the  most  High,  he  met  with  many 
to  the  joy  of  their  souls;  and  his  dear  children 
were  buiit  up  in  their  most  holy  faith.  This 
meeting  lasted  for  nearly  four  hours,  and  I  trust 
will  not  be  forgotten  by  many. 

Saturday  2  I  went  to  the  quarterly-meeting. 

It  was  a  very  wet  day ;  but,  glory  to  God,  he 
poured  out  his  Spirit  in  such  a  manner,  that  the 
house  was  filled  with  cries ;  some  shouting  praises 
to  God  for  redeeming  love,  others  intreating  for 
mercy,  while  divers  persons  lay  slain  before  the 
Lord,  by  his  mighty  power,  as  in  the  agonies  of 
death.  It  was  a  day  of  God's  power  to  many 
souls  :  some  professed  sanctitication,  and  others 
justification.  I  went  to  the  house  and  baptized  a 
child  ;  in  time  of  prayer,  the  mother  shook  every 
joint  in  her  body ;  four  persons  fell  to  the  floor ; 
one  professed  that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul; 
another  cried  out,  "  I  see  Jesus  !"  repeating  it 
divers  times  ;  and  then  said,  "  I  am  full !  Lord, 
hold  thy  hand,  for  I  can  contain  no  more." 

Saturday,  August  9  It  rained  so  that  I  could 

not  attend  my  appointment ;  but  a  few  friends 
came  to  the  house  in  the  evening,  and  we  had  a 
prayer-meeting.  The  power  of  the  Lord  came 
down  in  such  a  manner  among  us,  that  the  place 
was  glorious  because  of  his  presence,  and  the  dear 
children  of  God  were  fed  with  his  heavenly 
manna,  to  the  joy  of  their  souls. 


222 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  cries  of  the  distressed  make  the  streets  ring  —  Over- 
whelmed in  the  fountain  of  love— Ocean  of  God's  love — 
Noise  heard  a  mile  and  a  half— A  day  of  power. 

Sunday  10 — I  preached  to  a  large  congrega- 
tion, and  the  Lord  opened  the  windows  of  heaven, 
and  poured  down  righteousness,  some  wept  and 
some  rejoiced ;  some  were  crying  for  mercy,  and 
others  were  praising  God.  One  rose  up  and  said 
that  God  had  sanctified  her  soul,  clapping  her 
hands  with  praises  to  God  ;  another  cried  out  that 
God  had  pardoned  all  her  sins  :  the  sacred  flame 
of  God's  love  spread  through  the  house.  Glory 
to  God,  it  was  a  good  day  to  my  soul ;  let  every 
creature  praise  the  Lord,  praise  him,  O  my  soul. 
In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  my  other  appointment, 
where  I  found  a  large  congregation  waiting  to 
hear  the  word.  Here  I  met  with  Brother  C.  and 
he  preached  from,  "Ye  must  be  born  again" 
(John  iii.  7-);  and  when  he  had  concluded,  I 
arose  and  gave  an  exhortation,  and  God  made  the 
application  with  power,  so  that  there  was  a  shout 
in  the  camp;  many  were  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love. 
This  was  a  happy  day  to  my  soul. 

Monday  11. — I  had  a  favoured  time  in  deliver- 
ing the  word;  three  joined  in  society,  and  many 
were  cut  to  the  heart.  I  spoke  freely  and  plainly 
to  them  of  the  things  of  God,  that  appertained 
unto  their  souls'  eternal  welfare.  I  left  divers  of 
them  in  tears,  and  trust  that  some  good  seed  was 
sown  that  day,  which  will  be  found  with  its 
increase  in  great  eternity. 


Many  cry  aloud  for  mercy.  223 


I  went  to  town,  and  in  the  evening  held  a 
prayer-meeting;  "we  sang  and  began  to  pray, 
and  God  began  to  work  among  the  people  in 
power;  the  house  was  filled  with  cries  and  groans 
to  God  for  mercy,  and  numbers  fell  to  the  floor, 
and  one  fell  across  my  feet.  The  cries  of  the 
distressed  made  the  streets  to  ring,  many  stood 
gazing  at  those  who  were  slain  before  the  Lord, 
and  at  those  who  were  praising  God  aloud  in  rap- 
tures of  joy  for  their  deliverance.  I  embraced 
the  opportunity  to  speak  for  my  God,  and  I  asked 
them  if  that  which  they  had  heard  was  the  lan- 
guage of  the  devil.  "Hark !  you  hear  no  cursing 
or  swearing;  certainly  this  is  not  the  language  of 
drunkards  or  of  horse-racers,  or  of  revellers,  or 
sf  any  such  like;  their  cry  is,  'Mercy,  or  I 
oerish !'  "  I  asked  one  woman  what  she  thought 
,  was  the  matter  with  another  that  lay  on  the 
lloor:  she  answered,  "That  she  thought  her  sin 
!  vxus  the  cause  of  it,  and  that  she  was  crying  to 
Jod  for  mercy."  I  exhorted  her  to  do  likewise, 
elling  her  that  God  would  have  mercy  on  her 
lso. 

■  Tuesday  12  I  preached,  and  had  a  precious 

inae.    I  met  class,  and  some  of  the  dear  children 

j  -ere  overwhelmed  in  the  fountain  of  love. 
Wednesday  13. — I  preached,  and  many  were 

I  it  to  the  heart;  one  cried  aloud  for  mercy, 
.hers  were  happy  in  the  love  of  God.  It  was  a 
>od  time  to  my  soul. 

Thursday  14 — I  preached  to  a  hard-hearted 
sople.  I  told  them  their  danger  of  living  in 
a;  but  I  saw  little  or  no  effects.  I  hope  the 
ed  of  the  word  will  be  found  not  altogether  lost, 

t  that  some  fell  where  it  will  bring  forth  fruit, 
the  evening  I  met  clacs,  and  we  had  a  shout  in 


224     Preaches  to  a  tender-hearted  people. 


the  camp,  four  joined  society-    It  was  a  happy 
time  to  the  dear  children  of  God. 

Next  day  I  held  a  prayer-meeting,  and  the  j 
Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand,  one  cried  out  and  | 
fell  to  the  floor,  with  screeches  that  seemed  to  I . 
pierce  the  hearts  of  many.    Six  others  also  fell  to  I  (. 
the  floor  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy,  so  that  the  ,'. 
noise  was  heard  a  mile  and  a  half  off.    One  sin-  ; 
ner  stood  looking  on,  and  I  said  to  him,  "Sinner,  ,  j 
pray,  for  I  do  not  know  but  that  God  may  strike 
you  dead,  and  send  you  to  hell  in  a  moment!"  J 
with  that,  I  called  up  the  people  to  pray  for  him,  . 
and  he  sunk  down  on  the  floor,  and  called  on  God 
for  mercy.    I  left  him  and  three  others  in  sore  - 
distress  for  their  sins.    Some  found  the  pearl  of  ; 
great  value.    Thanks  be  to  the  Most  High,  it  . 
was  a  happy  time  to  my  soul. 

Saturday  1C — I  read  and  prayed,  and  found  an  , 
uninterrupted  peace  in  my  soul. 

Sunday  17 — I  preached  to  a  tender-hearted 
people,  and  the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit  upon 
them:  some  wept  and  some  groaned,  while  God's 
children  were  rejoicing  in  his  love.  One  found 
peace,  two  joined  society,  and  it  was  a  good  time 
to  my  soul. 

I   went   to  my  next  appointment,  where  1  , 
preached  with  great  liberty,  and  the  Master  laic 
to  his  almighty  arm  of  power.     There  was  i 
great  shaking  among  the  dry  bones,  several  fel  . 
to  the  floor,  some  as  dead  men,  while  the  cries  o  ' 
others  for  mercy  was  very  great;  several  lay  as  i)  , 
the  agonies  of  death,  and  several  found  peace  t  1 
their  troubled  souls,  whereby  they  were  enable  " 
to  rejoice  in  the  Rock  of  Eternal  Ages.  Twr.' 
professed  that  God  had  deepened  the  work  in  the:  j ' 
souls,  and  eight  joined  society.    May  God  recorr 


He  i«  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love.  225 

their  names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life.  This 
meeting  held  from  three  o'clock  until  night,  some 
were  shouting  praises  to  God  and  the  Lamb,  some 
praying  with  and  for  the  disconsolate,  so  that  the 
noise  might  be  heard  afar  off.  It  was  a  day  of 
God's  power  to  many  souls,  and  several  went 
from  the  house  crying  to  God  for  mercy;  for  my 
own  part,  I  was  almost  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love 
I  spoke  until  I  was  so  exhausted  that  I  could  say 
no  more,  and  then  I  withdrew  from  the  house-  I 
went  and  laid  down  in  order  to  refresh  the 
body. 

Wednesday  20 — I  met  class,  and  the  Lord  was 
ith  us  in  power,  and  his  dear  children  were  all 
filled  w.th  love.  I  was  so  happy  that  I  could  con- 
tain no  more,  and  I  told  them  I  was  as  happy  as 
I  would  wish  to  be  in  the  hour  of  death.  Glory 
to  God  for  what  he  has  done  for  poor  me.  "Happy 
■s  that  people,  that  is  in  such  a  case:  yea,  happy 
is  that  people,  whose  God  is  the  Lord."  (Psalm 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

V£aiPPy-,C>!af~A  ^cam-Deril-hardened  sinner-Many  til- 
mgbV      love-°«**  of  God  s  love-The  devil  pit  lo 

Thursday  21._We  had  a  melting  time  un- 
ler  the  word,  and  in  class  also  we  had  a  precious 
line;  seven  joined  society.  Several  seemed  as  it 
fere  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love.  "The  fruit  of 
he  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,"  &c.  (Gal.  v.  22.) 

Friday  22 — I  went  to  a  friend's  house  and 
eld  prayer-meeting,  and  we  had  a  precious  time- 
ome  poor  sinners  wept  sorely;  may  God  com. 


226 


A  devil-hardened  sinner. 


fort  them.  I  thank  God  we  had  a  happy  time 
there. 

Saturday  23  I  went  to  see  a  friend,  and  she 

told  me  that  a  young  man  in  the  neighbourhood 
wanted  to  see  me;  I  asked  her  for  what  ?  she  re- 
plied, "That  he  had  dreamed  he  was  in  hell,  and 
in  his  torment  and  dreadful  agony  he  thought  he 
kaw  me  at  a  distance,  praying  for  him  with  up- 
lifted hands;  he  then  awoke  in  the  greatest  dis- 
tress  imaginable,  all  in  a  profusion  of  sweat,  so 
great  had  been  his  agony."  He  immediately 
after  came  in  where  I  was,  and  related  the  same 
thing.  I  told  him  it  was  a  loud  call  to  prepare 
to  meet  God;  and  he  appeared  very  sensible  of 
his  imminent  danger,  and  promised  to  amend  his 
life.  I  recommended  them  to  God  in  prayer,  and 
left  them  and  went  to  town. 

Sunday  24  I  preached  and  had  a  melting 

time,  some  cried  out  aloud;  it  was  a  happy  time 
to  my  soul.  In  the  afternoon  Brother  C.  preached 
from,  "And  in  hell  he  lift  up  his  eyes,  being  in 
torments,"  (Luke  xvi.  2'i);  and  God  attended  the 
word  with  power.  After  he  concluded,  I  arose 
and  gave  an  exhortation  from  the  same  words, 
and  one  sunk  to  the  floor,  and  many  wept  aloud, 
and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  cam]).  I  went  to  one 
of  the  distressed,  and  prayer  was  made  for  her; 
but  her  mother  came  and  seized  her  by  the  arm, 
i.nd  when  she  found  that  she  did  not  answer  her 
by  moving  her,  she  began  to  pinch  her  as  if  she 
would  pinch  pieces  out  of  her  flesh.  I  looked  up 
and  prayed  to  God  to  have  mercy  on  this  old 
devil-hardened  sinner,  and  called  upon  all  the 
people  to  pray  for  the  poor  old  sinner:  she  seemed 
to  be  struck  for  some  time,  but  soon  got  het 
daughter  by  the  aim  again  and  pulled  and  bort 


He  administers  (he  Lord's  supper. 


■I-!', 


her  off.  This  was  a  precious  day  to  my  soul. 
Glory  to  God  for  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love. 

Monday  25  I  read,  and  meditated,  and  prayed 

through  the  day;  and  held  a  prayer-meeting  in 
the  evening.  God  was  with  us  in  a  powerful 
manner,  and  many  were  filled  with  love. 

Tuesday  2G  I  preached,  and  the  power  of  the 

Lord  was  present  to  heal;  in  class  we  had  a  shout 
in  the  camp.  Glory  to  God  for  ever,  this  was  a 
precious  time  to  many  souls. 

Wednesday  27 — I  preached,  and  the  Lord  at- 
tended the  word  with  the  energy  of  his  Holy 
Spirit;  his  children  were  refreshed  in  spirit,  and 
built  tip  in  the  faith;  four  joined  society.  Praise 
the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  let  all  my  powers  mag- 
nify the  Most  High. 

Thursday  28 — I  preached,  and  had  the  shout 
of  a  king  in  the  camp  of  Jesus.  Many  seemtd 
to  bathe  in  the  "fountain  that  was  opened  to  the 
house  of  David,  and  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jeru- 
salem, for  sin  and  for  uncleanness."  (Zech.  xiii.  1.) 
It  was  a  precious  time  to  my  soul.  In  the  even- 
ing we  had  a  peaceable  waiting  before  the  Lord, 
and  I  trust  some  had  their  strength  renewed. 
"They  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as 
eagles;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be  weary;  and 
they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint."  (Isa.  xl.  31.) 

Friday  29  I  preached  and  administered  the 

fjord's  supper;  we  had  a  favoured  time  to  our 
edification.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  love  to 
his  creatures.  The  next  day  I  met  three  classes, 
and  had  a  precious  time  among  the  dear  children 
of  God.  Many  of  them  seemed  as  if  lost  in 
redeeming  love;  and  a  Baptist  woman  joined 


^228 


The  Devil  is  put  to  flight. 


society.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  shout  in  the 
camp;  and  two  joined  class,  and  several  were  lost 
as  in  the  ocean  of  God's  love ;  it  was  a  good  time 
to  my  own  soul. 

Sunday  31  In  the  morning  the  Master  of 

Assemblies  was  present;  some  wept;  and  we  had 
a  small  shout.  In  the  afternoon  appointment,  the 
Lord  laid  to  his  helping  hand  in  the  power  and 
energy  of  his  Spirit;  the  devil  was  put  to  flight; 
and  I  believe  about  fifty  fled  out  of  the  house 
with  fright,  anger,  or  astonishment,  for  the 
people  fell  down  before  the  Lord  as  men  slain  in 
battle,  and  lay  as  if  they  were  dead;  thus  the 
cries  and  screeches  of  the  wounded  so  alarmed 
the  wicked,  that  divers  of  them  could  not  stand 
it,  and  were  put  to  flight.  But  many  others 
were  clapping  their  hands,  shouting  praises  to 
God  and  the  Lamb,  for  the  manifestation  of  his 
love  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts,  so  that  we  had 
a  shout  of  a  king  in  the  camp.  Glory  be  to  God 
who  caused  the  strongholds  of  the  devil  to  give 
way.  Our  little  army  was  in  good  spirits,  filled 
with  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  I  trust,  in 
the  strength  of  Jesus,  we  took  the  ground  : 
thanks  be  to  God  for  that  day's  victory.  "  So 
shall  the  Lord  of  Hosts  come  down  to  fight  for 
Mount  Zion."  (Isa.  xxxi.  4.)  "And  the  Lord 
wr.ought  a  great  victory  that  day."  (2  Sam. 
xxiii.  10.)  "  Thine,  O  Lord,  is  the  greatness, 
and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  and  the  victory, 
and  the  majesty."  (1  Chron.  xxix.  11.) 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Some  groan,  some  shout,  and  others  run  away — Woman  un 
born  again  —  Great  shouting,  and  several  lost  in  the  ocean 
of  love — Many  swallowed  up  in  love,  himself  afflicted  in 
body — Obtains  strength  by  prayer — Great  shout — Himself 
much  afflicted — Letter  on  Deism — A  great  revival,  and  a 
Quaker  converted. 

September  1,  1/94  I  read  and  prayed,  &c. 

In  the  evening  I  held  a  prayer-meeting;  and  we 
had  a  good  time;  one  fell  to  the  floor  crying  to 
God  for  mercy,  and  found  peace  to  her  soul ; 
three  boys  were  powerfully  wrought  upon  and 
wept  bitterly. 

Tuesday  2 — I  read  and  prayed,  &c.  through 
the  day,  and  in  the  evening  held  a  prayer-meet- 
ing; we  had  a  precious  time,  and  a  shout  in  the 
camp ;  many  were  happy  in  God's  love. 

Wednesday  3. — I  preached,  and  the  Lord  was 
present  to  wound  and  to  heal.  Some  cried  out 
under  a  sense  of  their  undone  state  by  nature; 
some  sighed;  some  groaned;  some  shouted  praises 
to  God;  and  some  ran  away  as  if  determined  to 
take  hell  by  storm,  rather  than  expose  themselves 
in  the  congregation,  by  begging  or  crying  for 
mercy  at  the  hand  of  God.  What  a  pity  that  the 
opposers  do  not  well  consider.  "  But  if  it  be  of 
God,  ye  cannot  overthrow  it;  lest  haply  ye  be 
found  to  fight  even  against  God."  (Acts  v.  39.) 
Again,  "  Let  us  not  fight  against  God."  (Acts 
xxiii.  9.) 

Thursday  4  On  my  way  to  my  next  appoint- 
ment I  overtook  a  woman,  to  whom  I  said,  "How 
do  you  do?"  She  answered,  "  I  am  very  poorly, 
and  am  taking  a  ride  for  my  health."    "  This," 


230  He  converses  with  a  woman. 


said  I,  "brings  us  to  think  of  death."  "Do  you 
think,"  said  she,  "that  I  have  lived  fifty-two 
years,  and  never  thought  of  dying?  I  perceive 
that  you  are  a  Methodist;  I  know  my  prayers, 
and  have  got  my  prayer-hook  and  my  hible,  and 
can  read  as  well  as  you."  She  then  asked  my 
name;  I  told  her  "  Benjamin  Abbott."  "Ah  !" 
said  she,  "I  have  heard  of  your  preaching  hell 
and  damnation  to  the  people ;  but  I  would  never 
suffer  any  one  to  tell  me  of  hell  and  damnation." 
"Do  you  know,"  said  I,  "what  our  Lord  said?" 
"  Yes,"  said  she,  "  as  well  as  you  do."  I  told 
her  that  our  Lord  said,  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say 
unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot 
see  the  kingdom  of  God."  (John  iii.  3.)  "And  if 
you  are  not  born  of  the  Spirit  (living  and  dying 
so),  you  will  as  surely  be  damned  as  that  you 
have  got  a  soul."  She  appeared  to  be  rather 
angry,  and  there  being  a  gate  that  led  to  the  left, 
she  turned  in  thereat,  and  so  we  parted.  I  went 
on  thinking  what  poor  creatures  we  are  by  na- 
ture. I  spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  prayer 
for  the  prosperity  of  Zion. 

Friday  5  I  rode  to  Brother  H.'s  and  met 

class  in  the  evening;  and  the  Lord  poured  out 
his  blessing  in  such  a  manner  upon  us,  that  the 
weeping  and  shouting  might  have  been  heard  a 
great  way  off.  Glory  to  God,  that  was  a  happy 
time  to  many  souls.'  "So  the  people  shouted 
when  the  priests  blew  with  the  trumpets :  and  it 
came  to  pass,  when  the  people  heard  the  sound  of 
the  trumpet,  and  the  people  shouted  with  a  great 
shout,  that  the  wall  fell  down  flat."  (Joshua  vi. 
20.) 

Saturday  G. — I  rode  to  my  appointment,  and 
preached  to  a  blessed  people,  and  the  Lord  was 


He  is  under  bodily  affliction. 


231 


with  us  in  ;i  powerful  manner.  In  class  the  dear 
people  spoke  very  feelingly  of  God's  goodness  to 
their  souls,  and  we  had  a  piecious  time.  At  night 
I  met  a  class,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp. 
"And  when  die  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord 
came  into  the  camp,  all  Israel  shouted  with  a 
great  shout,  so  that  the  earth  rang  again." 
(1  Sam.  iv.  5.)  Several  were  lost  in  the  ocean  of 
love ;  three  joined  society.  This  was  a  precious 
time  to  my  soul. 

Sunday  7 — I  preached  with  freedom;  after 
preaching,  I  met  class  and  we  had  a  favoured 
time.  I  went  home  with  one  of  the  friends; 
and  in  family  prayer  we  had  a  happy  time. 
"Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  praise  his  holy  name  for  ever." 

.Monday  ti  I  preached,  and  the  Lord  potired 

out  his  Spirit,  and  we  had  a  "  shaking  among  the 
dry  hones  of  Israel."  (Ezek.  xxxvii.)  Some  were 
lost  in  the  ocean  of  love;  and  in  class  we  had  ■ 
precious  time ;  and  in  family  prayer  the  Lord 
poured  out  his  Spirit,  and  we  had  a  shout;  I  was 
as  happy  as  I  could  wish. 

Tuesday  9  I  preached,  and  the  Master  fa- 

voured  us  with  a  feeling  sense  of  his  presence; 
several  were  lost  in  the  ocean  of  love.  Six  joined 
society,  and  divers  spoke  feelingly  of  God's  good- 
ness to  their  souls. 

Wednesday  10  The  Lord  was  present  in  our 

assembly,  to  the  joy  of  his  children.  In  class  he 
particularly  remembered  his  needy  creatures.  I 
was  happy  in  my  own  soul,  but  was  under  bodily 
affliction,  which  prevented  me  from  preaching  in 
the  evening. 

Thursday  11 — I  continued  full  of  pain  of 
body,  but  happy  in  soul ;  glory  to  God,  when  he 


232 


Has  a  fit  of  the  ague. 


afflicts  with  one  hand  he  comforts  with  the  other. 
"  The  days  of  affliction  have  taken  hold  upon 
me."    (Joh  xxx.  16.) 

Friday  12 — I  had  a  fit  of  the  ague,  which  was 
followed  with  a  violent  fever,  during  which  period, 
being  light-headed,  and  wandering  in  my  mind,  I 
was  informed  that  I  continued  preaching  and 
praying  until  it  abated. 

Saturday  13. — Being  a  little  better,  I  went  and 
met  class  in  the  evening,  and  had  a  precious 
time.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  goodness  to  poor 
me. 

Sunday  14 — I  was  very  unwell,  but  I  besought 
God  that  if  it  was  his  will  that  I  should  go  to 
my  appointments,  that  he  would  strengthen  me 
for  this  once,  as  he  did  Samson  amongst  the 
Philistines;  and  he  did  so,  for  I  was  enabled  to 
attend  my  morning  appointment  and  preach,  and 
blessed  be  God,  he  laid  to  his  helping  hand,  and 
we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp,  and  four  joined  society. 
I  attended  my  other  appointment  and  preached, 
and  the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit  in  power. 
At  the  table  of  the  Lord  we  had  such  a  time  as  I 
never  saw  before;  divers  lost  all  the  powers  of 
their  bodies,  and  were  overwhelmed  in  the  love 
of  God,  and  seemed  lost  in  redeeming  love.  I 
tarried  with  them  until  I  was  so  overcome  that  I 
was  obliged  to  retire  to  the  house,  where  I  threw 
myself  on  the  bed  until  I  recovered  my  bodily 
strength  a  little;  but  I  still  heard  them  shouting 
praises  to  God  and  the  Lamb.  This  was  a  happy 
day  to  my  soul..  "Let  the  wilderness  and  the 
cities  thereof  lift  up  their  voice,  the  villages  that 
Kedar  doth  inhabit;  let  the  inhabitants  of  the 
rock  sing,  let  them  shout  from  the  top  of  the 
mountains."    (Isa.  xlii.  11.) 


Muck  afflicted  and  takes  his  bed. 


233 


Monday  15 — I  was  very  unwell,  and  just  as 
my  ague  was  coming  on,  I  went  into  the  cold 
bath  and  then  into  bed,  where  I  was  covered  up 
warm;  and  in  fifteen  minutes  I  began  to  sweat, 
|    and  the  ague  left  me;  but  the  fever  returned,  and 
i    I  remained  very  unwell  all  next  day. 

Wednesday  17  I  went  to  town  and  met 

class,  and  the  Lord  was  present  to  many  souls. 
1  was  as  happy  as  I  could  wish  to  be  in  the 
body. 

Thursday  18  I  attended  my  appointment, 

and  preached  to  the  people;  and  we  had  a  pre- 
cious time,  and  God's  children  were  filled  with 
his  love.  In  class  his  power  was  present,  to  the 
joy  of  many  souls.  I  went  home  with  Joshua 
Dudley,  and  spent  the  evening  much  to  my  satis- 
faction, in  conversing  on  the  things  of  God. 
Next  day  I  went  to  town,  and  on  the  21st  I 
preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  had  a  peaceable 
waiting  on  the  Lord.  In  the  evening  the  Lord 
was  with  us  of  a  truth ;  some  cried  out,  others  fell 
to  the  floor,  and  many  seemed  ravished  with  the 
love  of  God. 

Thursday  25. — I  went  to  Brother  V.'s  and 
preached,  and  the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit; 
some  fell  to  the  floor,  and  others  were  lost  in 
redeeming  love.  Here  I  remained  about  two 
weeks;  my  horse  being  lame  and  unable  to  travel, 
and  I  was  so  much  afflicted  myself,  that  I  was 
obliged  to  take  my  bed.  During  my  illness 
Brother  V.  was  taken  with  the  pleurisy  and  lay 
about  ten  days,  and  then  departed  this  life  in  the 
triumph  of  faith.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord."    (Rev.  xiv.  13.) 

Soon  after  this,  our  quarterly-meeting  began  at 
George-town,  and  we  had  a  shout  in  the  camp; 


234    Extract  of  a  letter  from  a  disbeliever. 


some  fell  to  the  floor,  others  cried  aloud  for  mer- 
cy; two  said  that  God  had  sanctified  their  souls; 
and  others  that  they  found  Him  of  whom  Moses 
and  the  prophets  did  write — Jesus  of  Nazareth. 
Glory  to  God  for  what  he  has  done  for  sinners ! 
"  Sing,  O  ye  heavens;  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it: 
shout,  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth:  break  forth 
into  singing,  ye  mountains,  O  forest,  and  every 
tree  therein:  for  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob, 
and  glorified  himself  in  Israel."  (Isa.  xliv.  23.) 

[The  compiler  is  sorry  that  he  is  not  possessed 
of  any  information  relative  to  Mr.  Abbott's  la- 
bours, from  any  thing  that  appears  in  the  manu- 
scripts, for  near  the  space  of  live  months  from 
this  time;  as  the  next  thing  that  occurs  is  a  letter 
dated  February,  17Uo,  an  extract  of  which  is  as 
follows :— ] 
"  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Oh  !  what  species  of  disquietude,  what  kind  of 
anxiety  and  remorse  is  that  which  occupies  my  breast !  it  is 
beyond  expression;  but  I  cannot  assign  any' wise  or  good 
reason  for  sucli  an  extraordinary  sensibility;  probably  it  may 
be  said  it  is  from  want  of  information  in  respect  of  education, 
that  I  am  ignorant  of  this  strange  sensation;  not  so;  I  have 
languages,  I  have  philosophy,  I  have  astronomy,  I  am  ac- 
quainted with  the  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  I  have  the 
arts  and  sciences,  &c.  and  yet  cannot  obtain  consolation  and 
serenity  of  mind;  but  am  harassed  and  wonderfully  tor- 
mented, by  I  know  not  what,  in  the  silent  watches  of  the 
night :  1  am  alarmed  with  dreams,  visions,  and  awful  appre- 
hensions. Sir,  your  thoughts  upon  this,  1  want;  and  hope, 
that  in  the  course  of  your  discourse  to-morrow,  that  you  may 
communicate  something  which  may  console  the  mind  of  your 
disconsolate  friend, 

1.  H.  D. 

To  the  Rev.  Father  Abbott." 

The  author  of  this  extract,  was  one  who  had 
denied  the  divinity  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
hut,  having  been  previously  convinced  about  his 


A  f/reat  revival  in  George-Town. 


233 


soul,  he  came  to  our  quarterly-meeting,  and  the 
Lord  struck  him  with  such  a  sense  of  his  sin, 
and  with  such  power,  that  he  fell  to  the  floor  and 
lay  as  one  dead,  for  near  or  quite  the  space  of  one 
hour;  and  when  he  came  to,  he  praised  God  for 
his  deliverance.  Next  morning  he  burnt  all  his 
romantic  books,  and  amongst  them,  '-'Paine's  Age 
lof  Reason, "•  and  sent  for  a  barber  and  had  his 
hair  cut  short,  having  formerly  worn  it  long;  he 
joined  class,  and  now  stands  in  a  fair  way  for  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

At  this  quarterly-meeting  we  had  a  powerful 
time;  the  slain  fell  down  before  the  Lord  like 
Dagon  before  the  ark.  Some  professed  justifica- 
tion, and  others  that  God  had  deepened  the  work  of 
religion  in  their  souls,  by  giving  them  sanctifying 
jrace.  The  flame  spread  round  the  circuit,  and 
many  were  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  God. 
A  great  revival  took  place  in  the  town,  and  it 
was  kept  up  for  the  space  of  near  or  quite  six 
nonths,  and  many  were  brought  to  the  know- 
edge  of  the  truth  in  that  little  town:  for  which 
By  soul  adores  the  God  and  Hock  of  my  salvation. 

In  one  of  our  meetings,  1  observed  a  Quaker 
.•oung  woman,  in  the  time  of  meeting,  gazing 
imong  the  slain  which  lay  all  around  her;  per- 
ceiving her  to  be  unconcerned  and  insensible  of 
her  own  state,  1  told  her  that  she  ought  to  pray  for 
tier  own  soul's  happiness;  looking  her  right  in  the 


•  Rather,  his  abominable  book  of  infidelity,  or  obscene, 
udicrous.  sophistical  logic  in  contempt  of  religion,  and  sup- 
»rt  of  profanity  anil  licentiousness.  "  And  there  was  given 
into  him  a  mouth  speaking  great  things  and  blasphemies  : 
ind  he  opened  his  mouth  in  blasphemy  against  God,  to  blas- 
)hcme  his  name,  and  hi»  taberuacle,  and  them  that  dwell  in 
i9»ven."  (Rev.  xiii.  5,  6.) 


236    Conversion  of  a  young  female  Quaker. 

face,  I  began  to  pray  for  her  with  all  the  power 
God  had  given  me;  and  I  called  upon  all  in  the 
house  to  do  likewise.  I  soon  perceived  that  she 
could  not  stand  the  power  of  prayer;  she  hung 
down  her  head,  and  made  for  the  door;  but  the 
crowd  being  so  great,  she  could  not  hastily  get 
out  of  the  house:  observing  this,  I  cried  to  God 
to  pursue  her,  by  the  energy  of  his  Spirit,  through 
the  streets ;  to  pursue  her  in  the  parlour,  in  the 
kitchen,  and  in  the  garden ;  to  pursue  her  in  the 
silent  watches  of  the  night,  and  to  show  her  the 
state  of  the  damned  in  hell:  to  give  her  no  rest 
day  or  night,  until  she  found  rest  in  the  wounds 
of  a  blessed  Redeemer. 

Three  days  after,  as  she  was  walking  in  the 
garden,  God  set  all  her  sins  in  an  alarming 
manner  before  her  eyes;  she  went  into  the  house 
and  told  her  mother  that  she  had  done  enough  to 
condemn  her  soul  for  ever:  even  for  disobedience 
to  her,  she  might  be  condemned;  "but,"  said 
she,  "  I  have  found  a  people  that  serve  God,  and 
I  am  determined  to  go  amongst  them."  Her 
mother  said  before  she  should  go  among  them, 
she  would  break  every  bone  in  her  skin.  "  Well," 
said  she,  "I  am  determined  to  save  my  soul;  but 
in  every  other  thing  to  obey  you  as  a  child." 
Upon  this,  there  came  in  an  old  friend,  and  he 
strove  to  persuade  her  to  remain  among  the 
Friends;  but  she  told  him  that  she  was  determined 
to  give  diligence  to  save  her  soul:  accordingly 
she  went  to  a  prayer-meeting,  where  the  Lord 
broke  in  upon  her  soul  with  power;  she  joined 
class,  and  became  very  bold  in  the  cause  of  God, 
bearing  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  praying  in  meet- 
ings appointed  for  that  purpose;  and  she  stands 
fair  for  the  kingdom  of  God.  . 


Exhorts  her  to  faithfulness. 


237 


Some  time  after,  she  came  to  see  me,  and  told  me 
how  angry  she  was  at  me  when  I  prayed  for  her 
as  above  related;  "but  now,"  said  she,  "I  thank 
God  that  ever  I  saw  thy  face,  notwithstanding 
my  trials  from  my  friends  are  very  great."  I 
told  her  that  if  she  was  faithful,  she  might  con- 
quer or  win  them  all,  and  exhorted  her  to  stand 
fast  in  that  liberty  wherewith  Christ  had  made 
her  free. 

[N.B.  Here  the  account  which  Mr.  Abbott 
gave  of  himself,  in  his  manuscripts,  ends.] 


A  NARRATIVE 

OP  THE 

LIFE   AND  DEATH 

OF  TBE 

REV.  BENJAMIN  ABBOTT. 


BY  JOHN  FFIRTH. 


15.  Abbott  a  fighter— His  conversion  and  preaching— Extracts 
from  the  Minutes  of  conference— His  zeal— He  is  taken  ill 
— A   proper   shout— Extraordinary   love-feast — Reproves 

Mr.  W  He  finishes  his  writingsJ-Ofl'ers  to  send  for  Mr. 

(J.  to  preach  his  funeral  sermon — Glorious  death— A  vision 
— Lines  on  a  farewell  sermon. 

This  eminent  servant  of  Christ  was  horn  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord,  1732.  As  he  grew  in  years 
he  grew  in  vice;  and  heing  a  stout  strong  man, 
and  of  a  good  constitution,  few  were  ahle  to  con- 
tend with  him  in  bodily  strength.  Being  natu- 
rally fond  of  company  and  strong  drink,  he  was 
often  led  into  vice  and  bad  company;  where,  if 
any  affront  or  insult  were  offered  him,  he  seldom 
failed  to  deal  out  blows  in  a  very  heavy  and  plen- 
tiful manner  to  the  aggressor;  yet  I  never  under- 
stood that  he  ever  beat  or  abused  a  civil  man. 
However,  he  took  great  delight  in  fighting,  and 
frequently  attended  fairs  and  other  public  places, 


His  conversion. 


289 


in  order  to  meet  with  those  of  his  own  dis- 
position. 

At  other  times  he  worked  hard  and  got  a  com- 
fortable li vintr  for  l»>s  family,  and  supported  the 
character  of  an  honest  man;  and.  as  far  as  I  ever 
heard,  made  a  pood  husband,  and  kind  parent. 
In  his  most  wicked  days,  he  considered  it  beneath 
the  dignitv  of  a  man  to  use  his  wife  and  children 
ill. 

He  continued  in  this  scene  of  life  until  the  for- 
tieth year  of  his  age,  when  the  Lord,  in  his  infi- 
nite mercy,  met  with  him  in  the  power  and  energy 
of  his  Spirit,  and  convinced  him  of  his  undone 
and  fallen  state.  He  sought  God,  and  after  many 
painful  conflicts  of  soul,  he  found  peace  and  par- 
don on  the  12th  day  of  October,  1772.  In  com- 
memoration of  his  conversion  to  God,  he  annually 
kept  the  12th  day  of  October  unto  the  Lord,  in 
fasting,  prayer,  and  thanksgiving,  until  the  day 
of  his  death. 

Shortly  after  conversion  he  was  called  of  God 
to  labour  in  his  vineyard;  in  which  he  conferred 
not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but,  like  St.  Paul,  im- 
mediately preached  Christ  and  him  crucified: 
showing  that  the  grace  of  God  abounded  to  the 
chief  of  sinners.  In  delivering  the  everlasting 
truths  of  the  gospel,  he  was  above  the  fear  of  man 
or  devils.  He  was  neither  elevated  by  applause, 
nor  dejected  by  persecution;  and  whether  he  was 
called  a  good  man  or  a  devil,  it  was  of  the  least 
importance  to  him.  His  chief  concern  appeared 
to  be,  the  knowledge  of  his  duty  to  God,  and  the 
faithful  discharge  of  the  same,  independently  of 
what  men  might  think  or  say. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  humility,  possessed  an 
affable  child-like  simplicity,  was  bold  in  the  cause 


240        Sixteen  years  a  Local  Preacher. 

of  God,  fervent  in  his  devotions  and  supplications, 
zealous  in  declaring  the  truth  and  everlasting 
gospel  of  Christ:  in  which  he  neither  sought  nor 
courted  the  applause  of  man.  On  all  occasions 
he  laboured  with  great  zeal  and  diligence,  declar- 
ing the  terrors  of  G-od's  law  against  the  ungodly, 
and  administering  consolation  to  the  penitent,  by 
the  promises  of  the  gospel. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  faith,  and  often  spoke 
in  the  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Spirit,  of 
which  he  was  favoured  of  God  in  a  very  extraor- 
dinary manner.  The  Lord  often  wrought  won- 
ders by  and  through  his  instrumentality,  to  the 
conviction,  conversion,  and  sanctification  of  many. 
And  although  his  language  was  neither  learned 
nor  eloquent,  but,  on  the  contrary,  plain,  simple, 
and  illiterate;  yet  it  was  frequently  attended  with 
such  divine  power  and  energy  on  the  hearts  of 
the  hearers,  that  they  fell  before  him  like  men 
slain  in  battle,  by  the  mighty  power  of  God.  In 
him  it  was  clearly  manifested  that  the  excellency 
of  the  power  was  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  He 
spoke  not  in  the  wisdom  of  man,  but  in  the  power 
of  God.  He  was  upwards  of  sixteen  years  a 
local  preacher  in  the  Methodist  Connexion;  but 
he  laboured  and  travelled  considerably  during 
that  period;  and  perhaps  no  local  preacher  ever 
was  known  to  be  more  useful  in  the  Connexion. 
He  was  abundant  in  labours,  in  zeal,  and  in 
faith. 

In  April,  17^9,  he  entered  the  Itinerant  Con- 
nexion, in  which  he  laboured  with  his  usual  zeal 
and  diligence,  though  often  under  great  affliction 
of  body.  It  appeared  that  wherever  he  went  the 
Lord  was  with  him,  and  made  him  an  instrument 
in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 


lie  was  both  a  Deacon  and  Elder.  241 

In  1790,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  a  dea- 
con, and  in  1793,  he  was  ordained  an  elder;  yet 
so  great  was  his  humility  and  modesty,  that  he 
never  made  mention  of  either  in  his  manuscripts. 
He  travelled  and  laboured  till  his  bodily  strength 
failed  him.  In  May,  1795,  he  returned  home 
under  bodily  affliction,  and  was  never  afterwards 
able  to  attend  a  circuit. 

He  was  a  son  of  thunder  in  the  ministry,  and 
diligent  in  the  means  of  grace;  he  stood  firm  for 
the  cause  of  God,  reproving,  warning,  and  ex- 
horting all  that  came  in  his  way,  as  a  workman 
that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed,  and  often  it  was 
as  bread  cast  upon  the  water  to  be  seen  after 
many  days. 

It  is  not  my  design  to  amuse  my  readers  in  a 
biographical  manner,  yet  as  tiibute  due  to  the 
memory  of  a  pious  and  useful  servant  of  God, 
and  for  the  information  and  satisfaction  of  God's 
people,  permit  me  to  say,  from  many  year's  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  him,  that  as  a  christian, 
he  was  a  man  who  feared  God,  and  kept  his  com- 
mandments; and  as  a  minister  in  promulgating 
the  gospel,  he  always  appeared  to  have  an  eye 
single  to  the  glory  of  God  and  salvation  of  souls. 
An  example  worthy  of  imitation  by  all  the 
watchmen  of  Zion. 

Perhaps  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  an  extract 
from  the  minutes  of  the  conference  for  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1700,  where  we  have  the  testimony  of 
his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  shewing  how  he 
stood  in  the  opinion  and  esteem  of  them. 

Question — "Who  have  we  died  this  year?" 

Answer — '  Benjamin  Abbott,  about  twenty 


242 


Minutes  of  Conference. 


years  in  the  society;*  several  years  a  local 
preacher.  Eight  or  ten  years  of  his  life  he  tra- 
velled considerably  through  York,  Jersey,  Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware,  and  Maryland. +  He  was  a 
man  of  child-like  simplicity  and  sincerity;  of 
great  faith,  and  unshaken  confidence  in  God. 

"Touching  his  ministry,  he  was  not  skilled  in 
the  refinements  of  language,  or  arts  of  elocution  ; 
yet  has  often  been  heard  to  speak  with  the  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit,  and  with  great  power.  He 
was  owned  of  God  as  an  instrument  of  convincing, 
converting,  and  sanctifying  power  to  many  souls. 
He  laboured  with  great  weakness  towards  the 
last,  and,  although  a  strong  man  in  body,  was 
brought  down  to  a  child-like  weakness,  and  lin- 
gered out  his  days  in  pain.  He  died  in  August, 
1796. 

"Perhaps  he  was  one  of  the  wonders  of 
America,  no  man's  copy,  an  uncommon  zealot  for 
the  blessed  work  of  sanctification,  and  preached 
it  on  all  occasions,  and  in  all  congregations,  and, 
what  was  best  of  ali,  lived  it.  He  was  an  inno- 
cent holy  man;  he  was  seldom  heard  to  speak 
about  any  thing  but  God  and  religion  ;  his  whole 
soul  was  often  overwhelmed  with  the  power  of 
God. 

"He  was  known  to  hundreds,  as  a  truly  Primi- 
tive Methodist  preacher,  and  a  man  full  of  faith 
and  the  Holy  Ghost.    His  last  labours  were  upou 


•  In  this  there  is  a  small  mistake :  he  was  in  society  upwards 
of  twenty-three  years.  He  was  a  local  preacher  better  than 
8ixteen  years,  and  a  travelling  preacher  better  than  seven 
years.  He  joined  society  about  February,  1773,  and  died 
August,  179G,  making  about  twenty-three  years  and  six 
mouths. 

t  This  includes  part  of  his  travels  as  a  local  preacher. 


His  zeal  and  diligence. 


-24a 


the  eastern  shore,  where  many  will  remember 
him  for  years  to  come,  and  will,  we  hope  and 
trust,  shout  the  praises  of  God  and  the  Lamb 
with  him  to  all  eternity. 

"Several  revivals  have  taken  place  by  his 
means,  sometimes  upon  the  hearts  of  the  preach- 
ers and  people;  yea,  we  trust  the  sacred  flame 
still  spreads  in  the  much-favoured  Peninsula,  be- 
gun chiefly  by  his  instrumentality.  His  life  was 
pressed  out  as  at  every  pore  of  the  body.  He  was 
brought  very  low  before  he  died,  and  made  per- 
fect through  suffering." 

It  is  well  known  that  Mr.  Abbott's  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  God,  often  led  him  to  labour  in  his  Mas- 
ter's vineyard,  even  when  under  great  bodily 
afflictions,  which  were  frequently  increased  by 
his  loud  and  long  speaking,  till  nature  seemed  at 
times  almost  exhausted,  so  great  was  his  love 
and  concern  for  the  welfare  of  precious  souls. 
This  led  him  to  so  close  an  attention  to  his  cir- 
cuit, and  punctual  attendance  on  his  appoint- 
ments, that  lie  was  seldom  at  home  during  his 
travels  as  an  itinerant  preacher.  But  when  at 
home  his  zeal  and  diligence  were  still  the  same, 
and  his  labours  were  to  the  edification  of  the 
church. 

Many,  on  those  occasions,  have  witnessed  the 
truth  of  Solomon's  assertion,  "Iron  sharpeneth 
iron;  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  countenance  of 
his  friend."  (Prov.  xxvii.  17.)  For  my  own 
part,  I  have  thought  that  his  appearance  in  the 
congregation  was  a  means  of  giving  life  and 
vigour  to  the  assembly,  at  least  it  has  been  so  to 
me. 

His  last  appointment  stands  011  the  Minutes 
for  Cecil  circuit,  State  of  Maryland;  but  he  la- 
Q  2 


24  4 


He  is  taken  very  ill. 


boured  that  year  likewise  in  Kent.  On  his  way 
to  a  quarterly-meeting,  about  the  first  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1/95,  the  presiding  elder  mentioned  to 
him,  that  the  people  there  thought  he  had  power, 
by  faith,  to  open  or  shut  the  gates  of  heaven. 
Mr.  Abbott  said  to  me,  when  conversing  on  this 
subject,  "It  went  through  my  soul  like  a  dagger; 
I  was  grieved,  for  I  saw  the  idea  led  to  idolatry, 
in  ascribing  to  a  poor  mortal  the  power  which  is 
due  to  God  only.  I  felt  as  if  my  usefulness  were 
at  an  end;  although  I  did  not  discover  to  Brother 
W.  the  presiding  elder,  how  exceedingly  I  was 
hurt;  nor  was  he,  I  believe,  sensible  of  it." 
They  attended  the  quarterly-meeting  in  great 
harmony;  and  the  Master  of  Assemblies  was 
present,  to  the  joy  and  consolation  of  many.  At 
night  Mr.  Abbott  was  taken  very  ill,  and  never 
was  able  to  attend  a  circuit  as  a  travelling  preacher, 
or  scarcely  ever  to  preach  afterwards:  so  that  his 
usefulness  indeed  was,  in  one  sense,  at  an  end. 
I  shall  here  give  an  account  of  his  illness  or  af- 
fliction, according  to  the  best  information  I  have 
been  able  to  obtain. 

He  was  Uiken,  on  the  2nd  or  3rd  of  February, 
17°o,  with  a  violent  ague,  which  continued  du- 
ring the  night,  and  was  followed  by  a  violent 
fever  and  pain  in  his  side;  a  doctor  w  as  called  in, 
who  blistered  him,  and  gave  him  such  other  pre- 
scriptions as  he  thought  proper.  The  doctor 
visited  him  a  few  times,  and  then  (all  human 
probability  of  recovery  being  gone)  gave  him  up 
as  a  dead"  man.  He  lay  in  this  low  condition 
about  three  weeks;  and  so  intent  was  his  mind 
in  the  cause  of  God,  and  upon  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  that  at  times,  when  light-headed 
through  the  violence  of  the  fever,  he  would  pray 


He  resides  iri/h  his  doctor. 


245 


and  preach,  and  dismiss  tlie  congregation,  suppo- 
sing himself  on  his  circuit,  and  tell  them,  that 
day  two  weeks  they  might  expect  preaching 
again. 

One  day,  several  friends  being  present,  and 
apprehending  that  he  was  near  his  end,  he  was 
asked  if  he  did  not  think  he  was  dying;  he  an- 
swered, "  No,  God  had  not  made  it  known  to 
him,  and  he  did  not  think  that  he  would  take  him 
out  of  the  world  without  giving  him  some  fore- 
sight of  it;"  but  added,  "I  am  perfectly  resigned 
to  the  will  of  God,  either  in  life  or  death."  He 
has  since  informed  me,  that  his  peace  was  as  a 
river,  and  that  the  devil  was  not  permitted  to 
tempt  him  during  all  his  illness;  for  which  his 
soul  magnified  the  .Most  High. 

About  the  23rd  of  February  he  began  to  mend, 
but  still  continued  in  a  rack  of  pain,  which,  in  a 
great  measure,  banished  sleep  from  him.  But  a 
doctor,  who  was  a  member  of  society,  went  to  see 
him,  and  administered  some  medicine  that  imme- 
diately relieved  him;  ami  when  he  called  on  him 
next  day,  found  him  better,  and  proposed  his 
being  removed  to  his  own  house,  as  the  distance 
and  multiplicity  of  his  business  prevented  him 
from  attending  him  where  he  then  was.  I  regret 
that  I  am  not,  at  present,  possessed  of  the  names 
of  the  dear  family  and  the  doe  tor;  who,  together 
with  other  friends,  were  very  kind  to  him.  Many 
came  to  see  him  from  far  and  near;  and  alter  he 
began  to  mend  so  as  to  exercise  himself  a  little, 
"We  had,"  said  he,  "precious  times  together  in 
singing  and  praying." 

He  was  removed  to  the  doctor's  in  a  carriage 
(without  receiving  any  injury  by  the  journey), 
where  he  was  kindly  received.  Prayer-meetings 


24G  Three  pious  young  women. 

were  held  in  the  room  where  he  lay;  and  the 
Master  of  Assemblies  used  to  be  present  in  the 
power  of  his  Spirit,  to  the  consolation  of  his 
children.  And,  notwithstanding  all  his  afflictions 
of  body,  he  informed  me  that  he  had  precious 
and  happy  times  with  that  dear  family;  and  that 
he  had  reason  to  believe  that  God  had  deepened 
his  work  in  the  hearts  of  both  the  doctor  and  his 
wife.  When  the  doctor  was  out,  his  wife  gene- 
rally staid  with  him  in  the  room,  where  their 
conversation  was  about  the  work  of  God,  and  his 
gracious  dealings  to  their  souls.  It  appears  he 
was  upwards  of  two  months  at  the  doctor's, 
where  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  walk 
out  and  travel  a  little;  though  his  cough  and 
spitting  still  continued.  He  left  there  about  the 
first  of  May,  if  my  information  be  correct. 

I  find  in  his  own  hand-writing  the  following 
note:  from  which  it  appears  that  he  attended  the 
quarterly-meeting  at  Dover  that  spring.  The 
note  appears  to  have  been  written  after  he  left 
the  doctor's. 

"  The  quarterly-meeting  began  on  the  of 

May,  1795,  and  many  converts  were  there,  and 
they  had  a  proper  shout  in  the  camp  of  God; 
many  fell  to  the  floor  and  cried  for  mercy,  and 
divers  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  awa- 
kened. There  were  three  very  pious  young  wo- 
men who  came  from  Chester  Town,  and  who 
professed  that  God  had  sanctified  their  souls;  and 
they  lived  agreeably  to  their  profession ;  and  di- 
vers persons  flocked  to  them  to  inquire  the  way 
to  glory;  they  continued  in  prayer  for  such  every 
day  of  the  week.  A  number  were  converted  to 
God,  and  eighteen  joined  society,  and  the  old 
members  seemed  all  on  stretch  for  the  kingdom. 
Glory  to  God  for  a  revival  in  Dover." 


A  very  powerful  Love-feast.  247 


This  is  the  last  sentence  that  I  find  penned 
by  him.  Shortly  after  he  returned  home,  in  so 
low  a  state  of  health  that  he  won  unable  to  preach, 
and  scarcely  able  to  attend  a  meeting,  where  he 
spent  about  two  months  amongst  his  children  and 
friends.  Having  recovered  his  strength  a  little, 
in  August,  1>0.">,  he  attended  quarterly-meeting 
at  Murphey's  church,  on  Salem  circuit,  where  he 
gave  an  exhortation  on  Saturday;  and  the  Master 
of  Assemblies  attended  his  testimony  with  the 
energy  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  joy  and  consola- 
tion of  many  souls. 

On  Sunday,  in  the  love-feast,  in  his  exhorta- 
tion, he  gave  some  account  of  the  work  of  God 
in  divers  places;  and  being  filled  with  faith  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  he  claimed  the  promises,  and  the 
power  of  the  Lord  came  down  upon  the  congre- 
gation in  such  a  manner,  that  the  noise  might  be 
heard  afar  off.  Some  intreated  God  for  Christ's 
sake  to  have  mercy  on  their  souls;  others  shouted 
praises  and  adorations  to  the  Most  High.  Seve- 
ral lay  as  in  the  agonies  of  death;  like  David, 
"their  hearts  panted,  their  strength  failed,  the 
light  of  their  eyes  was  gone,"  (Psalm  xxxviii.  10.) 
their  strength  failed  because  of  their  iniquity; 
or,  like  Daniel,  "there  remained  no  strength  'in 
them."  (Dan.  x.  8.) 

Why  should  it  be  thought  strange,  that  a  ra- 
tional creature  should  tremble  and  fall  to  the 
earth  before  God,  under  a  sense  of  his  awful 
presence?  Moses  informs  us  that  the  brute  on 
which  Balaam  rode  did  so,  when  it  saw  the  angel 
of  God;  and  why  should  not  man  tremble  and 
fall  before  the  mighty  power  of  God  ?  It  was  a 
day  of  days  to  many  souls,  several  professed  to 
have  found  Him  of  whom  Moses  and  the  prophets 


2-18    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith's  kindness  to  him. 

did  -write,  to  the  joy  of  their  souls;  and  others 
that  God  had  deepened  the  work  in  them.  Mr. 
Merrick,  the  presiding  elder,  preached,  and  Mr. 
Ahhott  gave  an  exhortation,  which  was  attended 
with  power  and  divine  energy  to  many.  After 
meeting,  he  retired  to  the  widow  Ayre's,  where 
he  remained  for  some  days,  being  much  broken 
down.  He  had  a  desire  to  attend  Bethel  quar- 
terly-meeting; but  was  not  able,  though  only 
about  twelve  miles  off. 

After  this,  he  spent  two  or  three  months  higher 
up  the  State,  amongst  his  friends  and  children  in 
the  gospel. 

In  the  fall,  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
spent  the  winter  among  his  friends;  they  were 
very  kind  to  him:  in  particular  Hugh  Smith  and 
his  wife,  for  whom  he  had  a  great  regard.  They 
had  a  long  acquaintance  in  that  love  and  fellow- 
ship that  makes  glad  the  city  of  God,  and  uniteth 
the  hearts  of  Christians.  Their  acquaintance 
commenced  at  an  early  period  of  Methodism,  on  the 
Salem  circuit,  where  Mr.  Smith  at  that  time  re- 
sided, and  where  Mr.  Abbott  frequently  held 
meetings  in  the  time  of  the  American  Revolution, 
and  for  some  time  afterwards.  I  mention  this  as 
a  tribute  of  respect  due  to  Mr.  Smith  and  his 
wife,  who  have  been,  for  a  number  of  years,  as 
pillars  in  the  house  of  (Jod,  and  who  have  borne 
the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day;  and  who,  I 
trust,  will  not  lose  their  reward  in  their  Father's 
kingdom.  But  there  were  other  friends  also, 
whose  kindness  and  friendly  attention  he  experi- 
enced, and  which  he  gratefully  acknowledged. 

He  returned  from  Philadelphia  in  the  spring  of 
1796,  to  his  son  David's  at  Upper  Alloway's 
Creek,  where  he  remained  a  few  days.  Being 


He  is  taken  very  ill  at  Judge  Smith's.  24!) 

very  poorly,  ami  having  a  particular  de«ire  that 
I  should  a>sist  him  in  some  things  relative  to  the 
manuscript  of  his  lite,  he  sent  his  son  David  with 
a  request  that  I  would  go  and  spend  some  time 
with  him  for  that  purpose.  But  the  circumstances 
of  my  family  were  such  at  that  time,  that  I  could 
not  leave  home  for  so  long  a  space,  especially  as 
Mr.  Abbott  was  in  so  low  a  state  of  health  that 
he  was  not  able  to  attend  to  the  business  above  an 
hoivr  or  two  in  a  day,  therefore  I  requested  him 
to  inform  his  father,  that  if  he  could  come  to  my 
house,  that  I  would  endeavour  to  assist  him  in 
the  business.  Accordingly,  he  left  his  son's  to 
come  to  mv  house;  but  on  his  way  he  stopped  at 
his  friend  Judge  Smith's,  near  Quintor.'s-Bridge, 
to  refre»h  and  rest  himself,  where  he  was  taken 
very  ill,  and  lay  at  the  point  of  death  for  several 
dav's.  He  was  treated  with  the  utmost  care  and 
respect. 

Judge  Smith  has  since  informed  me  that  during 
his  illness,  he  often  expressed  an  uneasiness  that 
the  account  of  his  life  and  labours  was  not  com- 
pleted to  his  satisfaction,  and  that  he  lamented 
that  he  had  so  long  delayed  it.  However,  it 
pleased  God  to  spare  him  a  little  longer,  and  as 
soon  as  he  was  able,  he  came  to  my  house  in  the 
town  of  Salem,  about  the  7th  of  April,  1796. 
where  be  remained  sometime  in  such  a  poor  state  of 
health  that  he  was  seldom  able  to  perform  family 
duty,  or  even  to  sit  up  while  it  was  performed. 

Twice  he  attended  public  meeting;  at  the  first 
he  baptized  two  children,  gave  an  exhortation 
suitable  to  the  occasion,  and  related  some  little 
account  of  the  work  of  God.  The  second  and 
last  that  he  ever  attended,  was  at  the  funeral  of 
Airs.  Paul,  who  died  triumphant  in  the  faith. 


250     He  warns  a  backslider  of  his  danger. 


After  the  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr. 
Morford,  he  arose  and  gave  an  exhortation,  and 
particularly  addressed  himself  to  fllr.  W.  a  man 
whom  he  had  loved  as  himself,  and  who  had, 
through  the  snbtilty  of  Satan,  departed  from  better 
knowledge.  In  his  exhortation,  he  called  to  mind 
the  happy  hours  that  he  had  spent  under  his  roof, 
how  much  he  (Mr.  W.)  had  done  for  the  cause  of 
God,  and  how  often  they  had  rejoiced  together  as 
fellow-labourers  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  then  warned 
him,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  of  his  impend- 
ing danger,  in  the  love  and  fear  of  God,  until 
tears  flowed,  his  strength  failed,  and  he  was  un- 
able to  speak  any  longer.  While  the  interment 
of  the  corpse  took  place,  Mr.  Abbott  retired  to  a 
friend's  house,  being  unable  to  attend  it. 

After  the  interment  Mr.  W.  addressed  the  au- 
dience on  the  occasion,  and  appeared  angry,  ap- 
prehending that  he  had  been  ill-used.  I  spoke  to 
him  on  the  occasion,  and  endeavoured  to  reason  the 
case  with  him,  hut  to  very  little  purpose,  for  he 
apprehended  that  I  had  been  the  instigator  of  the 
supposed  affront,  and  appeared  as  much  offended 
with  me  as  with  Mr.  Abbott. 

After  my  return  from  the  interment,  I  went 
and  informed  Mr.  Abbott  of  the  matter.  "Why," 
said  he,  "if  1  were  able  to  take  my  horse  and  go 
and  see  him,  I  should  not  make  use  of  that 
opportunity;  but  as  I  am  not  able  to  go  and  see 
him,  I  am  convinced  that  if  I  had  let  that  opportu- 
nity pass,  I  should  never  have  another,  and  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  speak  as  I  did;  therefore  I 
leave  the  event  to  God.  I  am  sure  that  it  cannot 
hurt  him,  or  do  him  any  injury;  for  a  man  that 
is  posting  the  broad  way  to  damnation  cannot  be 
easily  worsted.    Oh  !  (said  he),  I  have  seen  the 


The  backslider  reclaimed. 


251 


time  that  we  have  rejoiced  together  as  fellow, 
labourers  in  Christ,  and  it  grieves  my  soul  to  see 
that  the  devil  has  got  the  advantage  of  him  !" 

On  Nr.  W.'s  return  home,  he  wrote  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Abbott  on  the  occasion,  justifying  himself 
and  his  conduct.  However,  the  Spirit  of  God 
fastened  it  on  him,  as  a  nail  in  a  sure  place ;  for 
at  our  first  quarterly-meeting  held  at  Salem  af- 
ter Mr.  Abbott's  death,  in  the  love-feast  31  r.  W. 
rose  and  openly  declared  that  God  had  healed  all 
ais  backslidings,  and  that  he  had  made  his  ser- 
vant, Father  Abbott,  an  instrument  in  his  divine 
jand  to  bring  about  his  restoration. 

I  have  been  more  particular  in  this  relation, 
>ecause  some  of  our  friends  were  ready  to  disap- 
>rove  of  Mr.  Abbott  for  making  use  of,  what 
hey  thought,  a  very  unsuitable  opportunity ;  but 
t  had  its  desired  effect;  likewise  to  encourage 
>thers  to  a  faithful  discharge  of  their  duty,  both 
n  season  and  out  of  season  ;  and  in  so  doing  not 

0  fear  men  or  devils;  but  in  all  things  to  keep 
in  eye  single  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  good  of 
ouls.  "In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in 
he  evening  withhold  not  thine  hand  :  for  thou 
nowest  not  whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or 
hat,  or  whether  thev  both  shall  be  alike  good." 
Eccles.  xi.  6.) 

He  was,  after  this,  a  few  times  able  to  officiate 

1  family  worship,  in  which  he  had  near  access  to 
he  throne  of  grace,  and  was  truly  solemn, 
^eighty,  and  profitable.  He  was  ever  ready  to 
iin  us  with  all  his  heart  and  strength  in  the  per- 
rnnance  of  that  solemn  duty,  although  often 
tnguishing  upon  his  bed  of  affliction  while  it  was 
erformed. 

He  was,  at  a  certain  day,  very  desirous  of  hav- 


252      He  attends  the  funeral  of  a  friend. 


ing  something  penned,  that  had  lain  heavy  on  h 
mind;  but  being  more  fatigued  than  usual,  "M 
must  give  it  over,"  said  he,  "until  to-morrow 
and  I  thank  God,  that  in  two  hours  more,  wit 
yoiir  assistance,  I  shall  be  ready  to  die."  Ne: 
day,  upon  finishing  the  business,  he  arose  an 
walked  across  the  floor  several  times;  and,  in 
transport  of  joy,  cried  out,  "I  thank  God,  I  ai 
ready  to  die  !  I  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  die  !' 

About  the  1st  of  June,  having  recovered 
little  strength  and  finding  himself  a  little  bette 
he  left  my  house  in  order  to  visit  my  brother 
family,  some  other  friends,  and  bis  own  childrei 
but  upon  hearing  of  the  death  of  Mr.  B.  a  ma 
who  had  resided  in  rav  house,  he  returned  and  a 
tended  the  funeral.  The  Rev.  I.  S.  who  had  bee 
called  by  the  connexions  of  the  deceased  to  preac 
the  funeral  sermon,  observed  in  his  discourse,  th; 
"Death  was  the  king  of  terror,  and  that  he  mac 
cowards  of  us  all."  After  sermon,  Mr.  Abbo 
took  an  opportunity  to  converse  with  Mr.  S.  o 
the  subject;  and  said,  "that  he  did  not  belies 
the  doctrine;  for  perfect  love  casteth  out  fea 
and  he  that  f'eareth  is  not  made  perfect  in  love 
and  that  he  believed  a  state  attainable  in  this  lift 
through  grace,  that  would  enable  us  to  shoi 
victory  to  God  and  the  Lamb,  through  the  valle 
of  the  shadow  of  death  ;  nay,  through  death  i' 
self,  and  fear  no  evil."  Also,  that  he  had  see 
many  leave  this  world  in  the  greatest  transport 
of  joy  imaginable;  and  in  one  or  two  instance: 
that  he  did  believe  that  they  had  seen  the  angels  ( 
God  with  their  bodily  eyes,  before  their  departure 
"And  for  my  part,"  said  he,  "I  can  call  God  t 
witness,  that  death  is  no  terror  to  me  !  I  ai 
ready  to  meet  my  God  if  it  were  now." 


Talks  about  his  funeral  sermon.  253 

|  That  night  he  was  taken  very  ill,  and  continued 
rl«>  for  some  days;  but  in  the  course  of  a  week  he 
' Uppeared  something  better;  and,  at  the  interces- 
sion of  his  son  David,  he  consented  to  be  moved 
ijfrom  mv  house  to  his.  In  a  few  days  after  I 
4visited  him,  attended  by  the  Rev.  R.  Searl;  we 
4 found  him  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  happy 
4in  his  love.  When  about  to  take  our  leave  of 
him,  "Come,"  said  he,  "brethren,  give  us  of  your 
I  oil  before  you  go."  The  family  being  called  to- 
rt gether,  Mr.  Searl  addressed  the  throne  of  grace, 
'  and  we  had  a  solemn  weighty  time;  and,  blessed 
|  be  God,  his  lamp  had  not  gone  out,  nor  yet  grown 
"  dim.  His  lamp  appeared  to  be  bright  burning, 
i  and  well  trimmed;  and  he  had  a  full  supply  of  oil 
in  his  vessel,  like  the  wise  virgins  mentioned  in 
Matt.  xxv.  4. 

On  Friday,  the  12th  of  August,  my  brother 
went  to  see  him,  and  found  him  very  poorly;  to 
whom  he  said,  '■  Brother  Fiirth,  I  am  going  to 
die;  and  to-morrow  you  must  go  to  Philadelphia 
for  brother  M'Claskey,  to  come  and  preach  my 
funeral  sermon."  To  which  my  brother  replied, 
"Father  Abbott,  you  may  continue  for  sometime 
yet,  as  the  time  of  your  death  is  uncertain." 
"No,"  said  he,  "I  should  die  before  you  would 
get  back  from  Philadelphia,  unless  you  should 
travel  in  the  night."  My  brother  replied,  "It 
will  not  answer  to  go  before  your  decease." 
"Why,"  said  he,  "I  shall  die,  and  I  do  not  wish 
my  body  to  be  kept  until  it  is  offensive;  you 
know  tlie  weather  is  warm,  and  the  distance  is 
considerable."  "  That  is  true,"  replied  my  bro- 
ther; "but  if  I  were  to  go  to  Philadelphia  for 
brother  M'Claskey  to  preach  your  funeral  ser- 
mor  ,  and  you  not  dead,  the  friends  would  laugh 


254 


His  speech  fails  him. 


at  me,  and  he  would  not  come."  "Ah,"  said  he. 
"it  may  be  so,  I  never  thought  of  that;  perhaps 
it  will  be  best  to  stay  until  I  am  dead." 

Next  day  observing  a  visible  alteration  in  him, 
my  brother  concluded  to  tarry  with  him  until  his 
exit.  During  the  day,  he  continued  in  a  rack  of 
excruciating  pain,  which  he  bore  with  a  Christian 
patience  and  resignation.  He  was  happy  in  God, 
and  rejoiced  at  his  approaching  dissolution,  and 
seemed  much  engaged  in  his  soul  with  God.  He 
appeared  to  possess  his  rational  faculties  to  his 
last  moments ;  and  for  some  time  previous  there- 
unto he  was  delivered  from  that  excruciating  pain, 
to  the  joy  of  his  friends ;  his  countenance  continued 
joyful,  heavenly,  and  serene.  His  last  sentence  that 
was  intelligibly  articulated  was,  "Glory  to  God, 
I  see  heaven  sweetly  opened  before  me  !"  After 
this  his  speech  so  much  failed  that  he  could  not  be 
distinctly  understood,  only  now  and  then  a  word 
as,  "See! — see! — glory! — glory!"  &c.  And  for 
my  own  part,  I  (irmly  believe  that  he  saw  the  angels 
of  God  visibly  with  his  own  eyes  before  his  exit, 
who  were  sent  of  God  to  convey  his  soul  to  the 
realms  of  bliss.  That  he  saw  something  which 
he  wished  the  bystanders  to  see,  was  evident;  for, 
looking  on  them,  he  often  cried  out,  "See! — see!" 
— pointing  with  his  hand  towards  the  foot  of  the 
bed;  and  then,  "Glory  ! — glory  !— glory  ! "  clap- 
ping his  hands,  and  in  the  greatest  raptures  or 
ecstasies  of  joy  imaginable. 

Thus  he  continued  until  nature  was  so  ex- 
hausted, that  in  attempting  to  clap  his  hands,  he 
seldom  hit  one  hand  against  the  other.  Through 
faith  be  was  enabled  to  shout  victory  to  God  and 
the  Lamb.  The  sting  of  death  was  plucked  out, 
and  death  was  as  a  messenger  of  peace  to  him. 


His  death  and  funeral  sermon.  255 


It  was  to  him  only  like  a  gate,  through  which  he 
it]  had  to  pass  to  glory.  Thus,  in  a  triumph  of  faith, 
pi  and  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  departed  this 

life  without  a  sigh  or  a  groan,  about  ten  o'clock 
m.  on  Sunday,  the  14th  of  August,  170b',  aged  about 
lii  I  sixty-four  years. 

of  On  the  Tuesday  following  lie  was  buried  in  the 
u  Methodist  burial-ground  in  Salem,  New  Jersey. 
4,  The  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of 
id  his  Christian  brethren,  acquaintances,  and  fellow- 
ie  citizens.  The  Rev.  John  M'Claskey  delivered  a 
is  1  pathetic  and  moving  discourse,  suited  to  the  so- 
e.  lemnity  of  the  occasion;  at  the  close  of  which, 
4  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Harris,  of  the  Presbyterian 
si  church,  put  up  a  prayer,  and  addressed  the  throne 
it  if  grace  in  behalf  of  the  human  family  at  large, 
i,  »nd  in  particular  for  his  church  and  people  that 
ir  nad  sustained  so  great  a  loss;  but  our  loss,  no 
«  loubt,  is  his  eternal  gain. 

I  O  happy  exit !  though  the  body  must 

If  Now  mingle  with  its  native  mother  dust ; 

|l  Yet  the  bright  seraphim,  without  delay, 

Escort  his  soul  along  the  ethereal  way, 
n  To  realms,  and  thrones,  ami  joys  of  endless  day; 

t  Angels  and  saints,  they  hail  him  as  he  flies ; 

\  Lo !  "  Welcome,  Abbott !  "  now  each  cherub  cries, 

And  hail  and  shout  him  welcome  to  the  skies ! 
<  Now,  hallelujahs  to  reedeming  love,- 

Resound  and  echo  through  the  worlds  above  ; 
e  Glory  to  God  ;  they  sing  in  anthems  new  ; 

Abbott  is  there  !  and  joius  the  chorus  too. 

I  It  may  be  worthy  of  notice,  that  it  was  the  de- 
ire  of  Mr.  Abbott,  for  several  years  during  his 
.  ravels,  that  Providence  might  so  order  it,  that 
I  /hen  he  died,  his  body  might  be  buried  in  the 
6  lethodist  meeting-house  yard,  at  Salem,  in  New 
i  ersey.  After  a  severe  illness,  in  which  he  had 
een  brought  to  the  jaws  of  death,  he  recovered,  in 


256  He  reveals  a  vision  he  had  in  the  night. 


a  measure,  and  returned  home;  and  in  a  sermon 
he  observed  on  this  subject,  "I  thought  when  I 
was  on  my  way  home,  it'  it  were  the  will  of  God 
that  I  might,  on  my  return,  end  my  days  and  lay 
my  bones  among  you,  my  soul  would  leap  for  joy  ; 
but  the  will  of  my  God  be  done."  It  appears 
that  the  Lord  granted  him  his  request:  for  he 
died  at  home,  and  was  buried  in  the  yard  where 
he  had  desired. 


THE  FOLLOWING  OCCURRENCE,  WHICH 
TOOK  PLACE  IN  THE  COURSE  OF  IJIS 
LIFE,  MAY  DESERVE  ATTENTION. 

He  arose  early  one  morning,  in  consequence  of 
a  dream  or  vision  of  the  night,  and  went  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  T.  a  man  of  repute  and  character, 
and  an  orderly  member  of  the  Quaker  church, 
not  knowing  any  thing  was  the  matter  with  him; 
but  upon  inquiring  of  Mr.  T.  how  he  was,  he  an- 
swered  that  he  found  himself  rather  unwell. 
He  then  informed  him,  that  he  had  a  message 
from  God  unto  him,  which  had  been  revealed  to 
him  in  a  vision  of  the  night,  and  that  he  had 
come  in  the  love  and  fear  of  the  Lord  to  warn 
him  to  set  his  house  in  order,  for  that  he  should 
die  and  not  live,  and  that  his  days  were  few. 
Mr.  T.  received  his  message  with  Christian  forti- 
tude and  solemnity,  as  became  the  occasion. 
They  spent  some  time  together,  conversing  on  the 
one  thing  needful.  Mr.  T.'s  complaint  increased, 
and  at  his  request,  Mr.  Abbott  frequently  visited 
him  during  his  illness,  which  continued  about 
eight  or  ten  days ;  then  he  bade  adieu  to  this  vale 


Lines  trritten  on  hearing  his  last  sermon.  257 


I  of  tears,  and  I  doubt  not  but  his  soul  rests  in 
i  peace. 

r  The  following  lines  were  written  on  hearing 

;       Mr.  Abbott  preach  a  farewell  sermon  (which 
t      proved  to  be  his  last)  in  Penn's-Neck  meeting- 
e      house,  where  he  had  been  an  instrument,  in  the 
t      hand  of  God,  not  only  in  laying  the  foundation 
of  the  temporal,  but  also  of  the  spiritual  church, 
from  2  Cor.  xiii.  11,  "Finally,  brethren,  farewell. 
Be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  mind, 
live  in  peace;  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace 
s      shall  be  with  you." 


A  HYMN. 

Be  perfect: — holiness  pursue; 

In  love  be  sure  to  dwell ; 
Anil  God,  thro'  Christ,  shall  comfort  y< 

So  brethren  all,  farewell ! 
Be  of  one  mind.  Rive  God  your  hearts, 

And  of  his  mercies  tell ; 
Which  he,  thro'  grace,  to  you  imparts  : 

So  brethren  all,  farewell ! 
Now  live  in  peace,  for  Christ  is  near, 

In  love  strive  to  excel ; 
The  God  of  peace  shall  soon  appear : 

So  brethren  all,  farewell  I 
The  God  of  love  and  peace  adore, 

And  all  things  shall  be  well; 
We,  in  this  life,  shall  meet  no  more: 

So  brethren  all,  farewell ! 


THE   FOLLOWING  IS 


A   SHORT  ACCOUNT 

GIVEN  OF 

BENJAMIN  ABBOTT, 

BY  HUGH  SMITH, 

IN  A  LETTER  TO  EZEKIEL  COOPER. 


B.  Abbott's  zeal  and  faith— Travail  for  souls— His  early  life— 
His  ministry. 

"Philadelphia,  Oct.  7,  1801. 

"My  dear  Friend, 

"Whereas  you  are  now  publishing  the 
'  Experience  and  Irospel  Labours  of  the  late 
Rev.  Benjamin  Abbott,  and  a  Narrative  of  his 
Life  end  Death,  by  John  Ffirth.'  From  a  con- 
versation which  I  had  with  yon  some  days  ago, 
relative  to  my  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Abbott,  I 
take  up  my  pen  to  communicate  to  you  a  few  par- 
ticulars, which  are  in  my  recollection  respecting 
him. 

"In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1776,  I  first  became 
intimately  acquainted  with  Mr.  Abbott.  At  that 
time  he  was  a  local  preacher  in  the  Methodist 
Connexion.  We  then  lived  near  neighbours,  met 
in  the  same  class,  and  had  meetings  regularly  at 


He  was  a  man  of  great  faith.  25!> 

his  house  or  mine,  so  that  we  were  often  together. 
From  the  time  of  my  first  acquaintance  with  him, 
as  above  mentioned,  I  always  took  him  to  be  a 
sincere,  zealous,  and  a  good  man.  He  was  instru- 
mental, in  the  hand  of  God,  to  the  conviction 
and  conversion  of  a  number  of  our  neighbours, 
who  turned  from  their  wicked  courses  to  serve 
the  true  and  living  God.  I  have  known  him,  in 
the  time  of  harvest,  to  take  his  men  from  the 
field  to  go  with  him  to  meeting,  and  yet  pay  them 
for  a  full  day's  work;  so  great  was  his  zeal  and 
desire  for  the  people  to  attend  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God.  He  was,  in  my  opinion,  a  man  of 
the  greatest  faith  I  ever  was  acquainted  with;  he 
was  an  agreeable  neighbour,  and  a  social  friend; 
plain  in  his  manners  ami  deportment;  pleasant 
in  his  conversation,  and  meek  and  humble  in  his 
spirit.  I  do  not  recollect  that  I  ever  saw  him 
even  appear  to  be  out  of  temper,  so  great  was  the 
work  grace  had  done  for  him.  He  appeared,  as 
far  as  I  could  judge,  to  travail  in  spirit  continu- 
ally for  precious  souls.  He,  with  great  zeal  and 
faith,  used  to  urge  conviction,  repentance,  and 
conversion  on  the  ungodly;  and,  among  profes- 
sors he,  with  equal  warmth  of  zeal  and  love, 
would  insist  on  sanctihcation;  and  the  Lord  re- 
markably blessed  his  labours.  I  recollect  reveral 
meetings  I  was  at,  where  professors  experienced 
the  blessing  of  sanctitication  under  his  ministry. 
The  divine  power  of  sovereign  grace  attended  his 
ministry  more  wonderfully  and  constantly  than 
any  one  I  ever  was  acquainted  with,  to  the  con- 
viction and  conversion  of  sinners,  and  to  the 
sanctihcation  of  believers.  He  worked  hard  at 
his  worldly  business,  but  would  punctually  attend 
public  and  private  worship,  prayer-meetings,  and 
&2 


260   While  an  apprentice  he  was  very  wicked. 

society  and  other  meetings  during  the  week.  I 
have  been  with  him  when,  after  working  hard, 
we  have  walked  a  mile  to  the  creek,  then  after 
crossing,  walk  a  mile  and  a-half  further  to  hold 
meeting,  and  after  returning,  the  same  week  to 
walk  more  than  three  miles  to  another  place  to 
hold  meeting;  besides,  every  Sabbath  he  would 
attend  at  one  place  or  another.  Through  his 
instrumentality  there  was  a  great  reformation 
among  the  people. 

"  He  used  frequently  to  tell  me  of  his  life  and 
manner  of  living,  during  his  unregenerate  state. 
While  he  was  an  apprentice  in  Philadelphia,  he 
was  a  wicked  lad,  associated  with  bad  company, 
&c.  He  used  to  quarrel  and  fight  frequently. 
At  times,  by  fighting,  he  has  had  his  clothes  so 
bloody,  that  he  has  stripped  them  off,  and  washed 
them  in  the  night  at  the  pumps  in  the  streets;  and 
frequently,  instead  of  going  home,  he  used  to 
sleep  in  the  Quaker  burying  ground,  between  the 
graves,  feeling  at  that  time,  no  terror  from  the 
living  or  the  dead,  by  night  or  by  day ;  he  then 
feared  not  God  nor  regarded  man. 

"When  he  became  a  man,  he  was  particularly 
noted  for  a  great  fighter,  and  but  few  excelled 
him  in  divers  kinds  of  vice.  He  has  been  known 
to  leave  his  business  and  his  dinner,  and  to  walk 
several  miles  to  meet  a  noted  fighter,  in  order  to 
show  his  manhood  and  bravery  in  that  line.  He 
frequently  had  to  appear  before  the  courts  of 
justice,  on  account  of  those  wicked  courses,  and 
he  generally  pleaded  guilty.  At  one  of  those 
courts,  a  certain  gentleman,  to  whose  care  public 
peace  and  justice  were  committed,  took  a  private 
opportunity  to  prevail  on  him  to  turn  out  and 
fight  a  certain  man  who  was  there,  for  which  he 


He  prays  before  the  Grand  Jury.  261 


treated  him  with  a  bowl  of  punch.  Surely  his 
conversion  was  a  remarkable  instance  of  sovereign 
grace  and  divine  mercy :  the  lion  became  the 
lamb ;  the  hero  in  the  service  of  the  devil,  be- 
came a  bold  veteran  in  the  service  of  God. 

"After  his  conversion,  numbers  had  old  grudges 
against  him,  and  sought  to  enslave  him  divers 
ways ;  but  by  grace  he  stood  firm,  and  immove- 
ably  attached  to  the  cause  of  religion,  maintaining 
a  bold,  uniform,  and  circumspect  life. 

"On  a  certain  occasion,  after  his  conversion, 
he  had  to  appear  before  the  Grand  Jury,  and  be- 
fore they  entered  on  the  business  for  which  he 
was  called,  he  said  to  the  jury,  'Let  us  first  go  to 
prayer  ;'  he  prayed,  they  had  a  solemn  time,  and 
one  of  the  jury  was  struck  under  conviction. 
He  was  much  persecuted  by  the  ungodly,  but  al- 
though his  oppositions  were  many,  he  was,  never- 
theless, remarkably  useful  in  his  ministry,  and  in 
visiting  the  sick  and  distressed. 

"  There  used  to  be  great  crying  out  and  shout- 
ing at  his  meetings,  and  such  power  used  to 
attend  his  word,  that  the  people  were  known  to 
fall  under  it,  as  though  they  were  shot,  or  cut 
down  by  a  sword.  At  one  of  those  powerful 
times,  where  the  people  cried  out  and  shouted 
aloud  in  cries  of  prayer  and  praise,  a  certain  tra- 
velling preacher  being  then  present,  strove  to 
stop  him  and  silence  the  people,  and  bore  testi- 
mony against  it ;  but  the  work  still  went  on  in  a 
wonderful  manner  ;  and  the  preacher  afterwards 
was  very  sorry  for  his  opposition,  and  acknow- 
ledged his  error,  believing  that  it  was  the  power 
of  God. 

"  I  recollect  a  certain  instance,  when  Mr.  Ab- 
bott had  been  very  sick  and  was  recovering  a 


262      He  feels  the  mighty  power  of  God. 

little,  the  friends  in  the  neighbourhood  went  to  a 
quarterly-meeting  some  distance  off,  and  I  went 
with  them,  leaving  Mr.  A.  too  unwell  to  go  with 
us ;  but  after  that  we  were  gone,  he  had  his 
horse  saddled  and  followed.  I  was  mush  sur- 
prised when  I  saw  him  come,  for  I  had  told  seve- 
ral that  he  was  sick.  After  R.  G.  had  preached, 
he  stood  up  in  the  pulpit,  and  the  first  words  he 
spoke,  were  of  his  inability  to  come  to  meeting, 
and  of  his  impressions  to  have  his  horse  saddled 
to  see  if  he  could  ride;  but,  said  he,  'When  I 
put  my  foot  in  the  stirrup,  I  felt  the  power  of 
God  come  upon  me,  and  I  was  enabled  to  come,' 
&c.  As  he  spoke  these  words,  the  mighty  power 
of  God  came  wonderfully  upon  the  assembly,  and 
I  felt  in  a  moment,  as  though  there  was  an  open 
expanse  before,  like  eternity  of  space;  I  lost  sight 
of  every  thing  else,  and  fell  suddenly  to  the  floor, 
and  cried  to  God  for  mercy;  this  was  when  I  was 
under  conviction,  previous  to  my  conversion  to 
God.  There  was  a  glorious  and  wonderful  time 
at  that  meeting. 

"I  am  confidently  persuaded,  that  many  will 
praise  God  to  all  eternity,  for  his  goodness  in 
raising  up  Benjamin  Abbott  as  a  minister  in  the 
church  of  Christ.  His  labours  were  crowned 
with  many  seals  to  his  ministry;  he  was  an  in- 
strument in  turning  many  to  righteousness — 
After  he  set  out  to  travel  as  an  itinerant  preacher, 
he  laboured  in  sundry  circuits  till  he  was  worn 
down  under  his  toil  and  affliction.  When  he  was 
unable  to  travel  any  longer,  he  came  to  Philadel- 
phia to  spend  the  winter  with  his  friends;  he 
staid  considerably  at  my  house,  and  I  found  that 
he  still  possessed  the  same  simplicity  of  manners, 
the  same  zeal,  faith,  and  concern  for  souls  that  he 


His  remarkable  patience  and  resignation.  2G3 

had  done  for  twenty  years;  but  his  bodily  health 
and  strength  were  exhausted.  He  retained  a 
clear  and  strong  evidence  of  his  acceptance  with 
God,  and  appeared  sensible  that  his  end  drew 
nigh.  He  hud  remarkable  patience  and  resigna- 
tion, which  were  visible  and  wonderful  to  the 
family;  he  appeared  all  love,  and  was  heavenly 
in  his  conversation.  I  felt  a  strong  desire  that, 
if  it  were  the  will  of  God,  he  might  die  at  my 
house.  I  should  have  esteemed  it  an  honour 
conferred  on  me  by  Providence,  had  so  eminent  a 
saint  and  servant  of  God  ended  his  days  under 
my  roof.  But  he  removed  in  the  spring  of  1796' 
to  the  Jerseys,  where  he  lingered  out  a  few 
months  in  weakness  and  pain  of  body,  but  in 
peace  and  happiness  of  soul;  then  closed  his  eyes 
to  see  his  God.  'Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  be- 
hold the  upright:  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.'  (Ps.  xxxvii.  37.)  'Let  me  die  the  death 
of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his.' 
(Numbers  xxiii.  10.) 

"Were  I  to  take  some  time  for  recollection, 
and  to  minute  down  the  occurrences  which  were 
in  my  knowledge  of  Mr.  Abbott,  and  to  arrange 
them'  in  order,  I  believe  I  might  write  a  volume 
of  interesting  circumstances.  In  a  word,  he  was 
a  wonderful  man,  a  great  christian,  and  a  useful 
minister  in  the  church  of  Christ;  and  now,  I 
have  no  doubt,  he  shines  like  a  bright  star  in 
glory. 

I  am,  my  dear  friend,  yours,  &c. 


HUGH  SMITH." 


APPENDIX. 


How  the  apostles  subdued  the  nations — On  miracles — On 
preaching  with  the  Holy  Ghost — Why  all  ministers  are 
not  clothed  with  this  power. 

We  have  now  had  a  view  of  a  man  who 
preached  the  gospel  in  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit  and  of  power,  and  which  is  corroborated 
by  the  power  that  attended  the  Quakers  men- 
tioned at  page  201.  This  gives  us  some  idea 
how  the  apostles  subdued  the  nations  to  the  faith 
of  Christ,  and  overcame  the  opposition  of  wicked 
men,  and  the  force  of  prejudices.  Some,  indeed, 
have  thought  that  they  succeeded  chiefly  by  out- 
ward miracles.  But  this  is  rather  disputable,  for 
many  people  at  Jerusalem  acknowledged  the  mi- 
racle (Acts  iv.),  who  did  not  yield  obedience  to 
the  faith.  And  at  Lycaonia,  so  striking  a  miracle 
was  wrought,  that  Paul  and  Barnabas  were  re- 
puted as  gods;  but  so  far  were  the  people  of  that 
place  from  being  thereby  converted,  that  in  a  few 
days  they  stoned  Paul.  (Acts  xiv.  19.)  These 
instances,  among  many  others,  show  that  people 
will  not  be  turned  from  sin  by  outward  miracles. 

And  the  miracle  of  speaking  with  tongues  at 
the  day  of  Pentecost,  might  have  been  explained 
away  by  infidels.  They  would  perhaps  have 
said,  "These  Galileans  have  lived  sometime  in 
other  countries,  or  have  lived  among  neighbours 
from  other  countries,  or  have  met  with  accidental 
acquaintances  who  could  speak  other  languages, 


Preaching  the  Gospel  in  the  Spirit.  265 

from  whom  they  have  learned  them."  There- 
fore it  plainly  appears  that  the  success  arose  from 
preaching  the  gospel  in  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit  and  of  power,  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost 

sent  down  from  heaven.  (1  Cor.  ii.  4  1  Thes. 

i.  5  1  Pet.  i.  12.)    And  this  power  it  was  that 

caused  the  three  thousand  to  cry  out  at  once,  in 
bitterness  of  soul,  "Men  and  brethren,  what 
shall  we  do  ?"  (Acts  ii.  37.) 

The  exertion  of  this  power  appears  much 
greater  in  the  estimation  of  heaven  than  working 
miracles;  for  we  never  read  of  any  wonder  among 
angels,  when  miracles  were  wrought;  but  the 
things  that  pertain  unto  "preaching  the  gospel 
with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven,  the 
angels  desire  to  look  into."  (1  Pet.  i.  12.) 

But  then  it  may  be  asked,  seeing  it  is  God's 
will  to  clothe  all  ministers  with  this  power, 
"Why  are  they  not  all  clothed  therewith,  or 
seeking  so  to  be  ?" 

Ans.  One  cause  among  others  maybe,  "The 
fear  of  persecution."  For  the  exertion  of  this 
power  is  so  decisively  destructive  to  Satan's  king- 
dom, that  he  may  be  fully  expected  to  stir  up  all 
the  powers  he  is  able,  both  of  hell  and  earth, 
against  it,  and  those  ministers  would  be  as  lambs 
among  wolves.  But  the  Methodists  in  America 
have  grown  very  much  in  this  power,  and  especi- 
ally at  camp-meetings. 

Perhaps  by  this  time  the  reader  is  desirous  to 
know  whether  this  power  was  or  is  with  the 
Methodists  in  England:  to  gratify  him,  the  fol- 
lowing is  added,  whereby  he  will  see  that  it  was 
with  them  at  the  beginning,  and  it  is  with  some 
at  this  day. 


EXTRACTS 

FROM  THE 

JOURNALS  OF  THE  REV.  J.  WESLEY. 


The  people  fall  at  Bristol — All  Newgate  rings  with  cries — A 
Physician — A  Quaker  struck  down  —  A  man  said  to  be 
raving  mad— J.  Wesley's  letter  on  these  things— The 
people  fall  in  the  open  air— Zeal  not  according  to  love — 
Many  fall  at  Wapping  and  at  Fetter-lane—  On  try  ing  the 
spirits— Mr.  Whitfield— Remarks  at  Fetter-lane,  &c. 

Bristol,  April,  1738. 

Tuesday  17  I  went  to  Baldwin-street,  and 

expounded,  as  it  came  in  course,  the  fourth  chap- 
ter of  the  Acts.  We  then  called  upon  God  to 
confirm  his  word.  Immediately  one  that  stood 
hy  (to  our  no  small  surprise)  cried  out  aloud,  with 
the  utmost  vehemence,  even  as  in  the  agonies  of 
death.  But  we  continued  in  prayer,  till  a  new 
song  was  put  into  her  mouth,  a  thanksgiving 
unto  God.  Soon  after,  two  other  persons  (well 
known  in  this  place,  as  labouring  to  live  in  all 
good  conscieuce  towards  all  men)  were  seized 
with  strong  pain,  and  constrained  to  roar  for  the 
disquietness  of  their  heart.  But  it  was  not  long 
before  they  likewise  burst  forth  into  praise  to 
God  their  Saviour.  The  last  who  called  upon 
God  as  out  of  the  belly  of  hell,  was  J.  E.  a 
stranger  in  Bristol.     And  in  a  short  space,  he 


A  young  man  seized  with  a  trembling.  267 

Iso  was  overwhelmed  with  joy  and  love,  know- 
ig  that  God  had  healed  his  backslidings.  So 
lany  living  witnesses  has  God  given  that  his 
and  is  still  stretched  out  to  heal,  and  that  signs 
nd  wonders  are  even  now  wrought,  by  his  holy 
(did  Jesus. 

Wednesday  18th — In  the  evening,  L.  S.  (late 
Quaker,  but  baptized  the  day  before),  R.  M. 
ud  a  few  others,  were  admitted  into  the  society, 
lut  R.  M.  was  scarcely  able  either  to  speak  or 
>ok  up.  The  sorrows  of  death  compassed  her 
bout,  the  pains  of  hell  got  hold  upon  her.  We 
oured  out  our  complaints  before  God,  and 
bowed  him  of  her  trouble ;  and  he  soon  showed 
nat  he  is  a  God  that  heareth  prayer;  she  felt  in 
erself  that  being  justified  freely,  she  had  peace 
'ith  God  through  Jesus  Christ.  She  rejoiced  in 
ope  of  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  love  of  God 
'as  shed  abroad  in  her  heart. 

April  20th  Being  Good  Friday,  E.  R.,  T.  W. 

nd  one  or  two  others,  just  knew  they  had  re- 
emption  iu  the  blood  of  Christ,  the  remission  of 
heir  sins. 

Saturday  21st  At  Weaver's-Hall,  a  young 

lan  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  violent  trembling 
11  over,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  the  sorrows  of  his 
eart  being  enlarged,  sunk  down  to  the  ground. 
$ut  we  ceased  not  calling  upon  God,  till  he  raised 
im  up  full  of  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

On  Easter-day,  it  being  a  thorough  rain,  I 
ould  only  preach  at  Newgate,  at  eight  in  the 
aorning,  and  two  in  the  afternoon;  in  a  house 
t  Hannam-Mount,  at  eleven;  and  in  one  near 
tose-Green,  at  five.  At  the  society  in  the  even- 
ng,  many  were  cut  to  the  heart,  and  many 
omforted. 


268  Two  filled  with  joy. 


Thursday  26 — While  I  was  preaching  at  Ne' 
gate  on  these  words,  "He  that  believeth  ha 
everlasting  life;"  I  was  insensibly  led,  witho 
any  previous  design,  to  declare  strongly  and  e 
plicitly,  that  God  willeth  all  men  to  be  save< 
and  to  pray  that,  "  If  this  were  not  the  truth 
God,  he  would  not  suffer  the  blind  to  go  out 
the  way;  but  if  it  were,  he  would  bear  witness 
his  word."  Immediately  one  and  another,  and  an 
ther  sunk  to  the  earth :  they  dropped  on  evei 
side  as  thunderstruck.    One  of  them  cried  alou 
We  besought  God  in  her  behalf,  and  he  turn< 
her  heaviness  into  joy.    A  second  being  in  tli 
same  agony,  we  called  upon  God  for  her  alst 
and  he  spoke  peace  unto  her  soul.    In  the  evenir 
I  was  again  prest  in  spirit  to  declare,  that  Chri 
gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all.    And  almost  b  I 
fore  we  called  upon  him  to  set  to  his  seal,  he  ai 
swered;  one  was  so  wounded  by  the  sword  of  tr  - 
Spirit,  that  you  would  have  imagined  she  coul 
not  live  a  moment.    But  immediately  his  abui 
dant  kindness  was  showed,  and  she  loudly  sang  ( 
his  righteousness. 

Friday  27th  All  Newgate  rang  with  the  cri< 

of  those  whom  the  word  of  God  had  cut  to  th 
heart.  Two  of  them  were  in  a  moment  fille 
with  joy,  to  the  astonishment  of  those  that  bt 
held  them. 

Sunday  29th  I  declared  the  free  grace  of  Go 

to  about  four  thousand  people,  from  these  words 
"  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  deliverei 
him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  als> 
freely  give  us  all  things  ?"  At  that  hour  it  was 
that  one  who  had  long  continued  in  sin,  from  i 
despair  of  finding  mercy,  received  a  full  clea. 
sense  of  his  pardoning  love,  and  power  to  sin  nc 


First  Love-feast  in  Baldwin-Street. 


209 


(  nore.  I  then  went  to  Clifton  (a  mile  from  Bris- 
1  at  the  minister's  desire,  who  was  dangerously 
"  11,  and  thence  returned  to  a  little  plain,  near 

I  Hannam-Mount,  where  about  three  thousand 
8  were  present.    The  church  was  quite  full  at  the 

II  prayers  and  sermon,  as  was  the  church  yard  at 
*:he  burial  which  followed.  From  Clifton  we 
'f  went  to  Rose-Green,  where  were  (by  computation) 

•  near  seven  thousand,  and  thence  to  Gloucester- 
*|Lane  society.    After  which  was  our  first  love- 

•  Vast  in  Baldwin-street.  O  how  has  God  renewed 
'1  my  strength  !  who  used,  ten  years  ago,  to  be  so 
•4  'aint  and  wearv,  with  preaching  twice  in  one 
"Hay! 

■I  Monday  30th. — We  understood  that  many 
4  were  offended  at  the  cries  of  those  on  whom  the 

•  power  of  God  came:  among  whom  was  a  physi- 
4  ;ian,  who  was  much  afraid  there  might  be  fraud 
4  or  imposture  in  the  case.  To-day  one  whom  he 
4  had  known  many  years,  was  the  first  (while  I 
4  was  preaching  in  Newgate)  who  broke  out  in 
4 strong  cries  and  tears.  He  could  hardly  believe 
J  his  own  eyes  and  ears.  He  went  and  stood  close 
4  to  her,  and  observed  every  symptom,  till  great 

•  drops  of  sweat  ran  down  her  face,  and  all  her 
•bones  shook.  He  then  knew  not  what  to  think, 
4 being  clearly  convinced  it  was  not  fraud,  nor  yet 
I  any  natural  disorder.  But  when  both  her  soul 
4)  and  body  were  healed  in  a  moment,  he  acknow- 
ledged the  finger  of  God. 

4    Tuesday,  May  1st. — Many  were  offended  again, 

•  and  indeed  much  more  than  before.     For  at 

•  Baldwin-street  my  voice  could  scarce  be  heard, 
I  amidst  the  groanings  of  some  and  the  cries  of 
■  others,  calling  aloud  to  Him  that  is  mighty  to 

•  save.    I  desired  all  that  were  sincere  of  heart,  to 


270  A  Quaker  drops  down  as  thunderstruck. 


beseech  with  me  the  Prince  exalted  for  us,  th; 
he  would  proclaim  deliverance  to  the  captive 
And  he  soon  showed  that  he  heard  our  voic 
Many  of  those  who  had  been  long  in  darknes 
saw  the  dawn  of  a  great  light ;  and  ten  persoi 
(I  afterwards  found)  then  began  to  say  in  faitl 
"My  Lord  and  my  God  !" 

A  Quaker  who  stood  by,  was  not  a  little  diii 
pleased  at  the  dissimulation  of  these  creature 
and  was  biting  his  lips  and  knitting  his  brow 
when  he  dropped  down  as  thunderstruck.  Th 
agony  he  was  in,  was  even  terrible  to  behold 
We  besought  God  not  to  lay  folly  to  his  chargi 
and  he  soon  lifted  up  his  head  and  cried  aloiu 
"Now  I  know  thou  art  a  prophet  of  the  Lord." 

Wednesday  2nd.— At  Newgate,  another  moui 
ner  was  comforted.  I  was  desired  to  step  thenc 
to  a  neighbouring  house,  to  see  a  letter  wrot 
against  me  as  a  deceiver  of  the  people,  by  teach 
ing  that  God  willeth  all  men  to  be  saved.  On 
who  had  long  asserted  the  contrary,  was  ther 
when  a  young  woman  came  in,  who  could  say  be 
fore,  "I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,"  all  ii 
tears,  and  in  deep  anguish  of  spirit.  She  sail 
she  had  been  reasoning  with  herself,  how  the* 
things  could  be,  till  she  was  perplexed  mon 
and  more,  and  she  now  found  the  Spirit  of  Chris 
was  departed  from  her.  We  began  to  pray,  am 
she  cried  out,  "He  is  come,  He  is  come;  I  agail 
rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour."  Just  as  we  aros 
from  giving  thanks,  another  person  reeled  four  qi 
five  steps,  and  then  dropped  down.  We  prayel 
with  her,  and  left  her  strongly  convinced  of  sin 
and  earnestly  groaning  for  deliverance. 

I  did  not  mention  one  J.  H.  a  weaver,  who  w«j 
in  Baldwin. street  the  night  before.    He  was,  I 


A  disbeliever  fallen  raving  mad. 


271 


understood,  a  man  of  regular  life  and  conversa- 
tion :  one  that  constantly  attended  public  prayers 
and  sacrament,  and  was  zealous  for  the  church, 
and  against  Dissenters  of  every  denomination. 
Being  informed  that  people  fell  into  strange  fits 
at  the  societies,  he  came  to  see  and  judge  for  him- 
self. But  he  was  less  satisfied  than  before ;  inso- 
much, that  he  went  about  to  see  his  acquaintance 
one  after  another,  till  one  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  laboured  above  measure  to  convince  them  it 
was  a  delusion  of  the  devil.  We  were  going 
home,  when  one  met  us  in  the  street,  and  in- 
formed us  that  J.  H.  was  fallen  raving  mad.  It 
seems  he  sat  down  to  dinner,  but  had  a  mind  first 
to  end  the  sermon  he  had  borrowed  on  salvation 
by  faith ;  in  reading  the  last  page,  he  changed 
colour,  fell  off  his  chair,  and  began  screaming 
terribly,  and  beating  himself  against  the  ground. 
The  neighbours  were  alarmed,  and  flocked  to- 
gether to  the  house.  Between  one  and  two  I 
came  in,  and  found  him  on  the  floor,  the  room 
being  full  of  people,  whom  his  wife  would  have 
kept  without,  but  he  cried  out  aloud,  "  No,  let 
them  all  come;  let  all  the  world  see  the  just 
judgment  of  God."  Two  or  three  men  were 
holding  him  as  well  as  they  could.  He  immedi- 
ately fixed  his  eyes  on  me,  and  stretching  out  his 
hand,  cried,  "Aye,  this  is  he  who  I  said  was  a 
deceiver  of  the  people.  But  God  has  overtaken 
me.  I  said  it  was  all  a  delusion.  But  this  is  no 
delusion."  He  then  roared  out,  "O  thou  devil! 
thou  cursed  devil !  yea,  thou  legion  of  devils  ! 
thou  can^t  not  stay,  Christ  will  cast  thee  out !  I 
know  his  work  is  begun.  Tear  me  to  pieces  if 
thou  wilt,  but  thou  canst  not  hurt  me  !"  He 
then  beat  himself  against  the  ground  again;  his 


272  A  woman  and  a  boy  overwhelmed  with  sin. 

breast  heaving  at  the  same  time,  as  in  the  pangs 
of  death,  and  great  drops  of  sweat  trickling  down 
his  face :  we  all  betook  ourselves  to  prayer ;  his 
pangs  ceased,  and  both  his  body  and  soul  were  set 
at  liberty. 

Wednesday  9th. — In  the  evening,  while  I  was 
declaring  that  Jesus  Christ  had  given  himself  a 
ransom  for  all,  three  persons  almost  at  once,  sunk 
down  as  dead,  having  all  their  sins  set  in  array 
before  them.  But  in  a  short  time  they  were 
raised  up,  and  knew  that  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  had  taken 
away  their  sins. 

Saturday  19th — At  Weaver's-Hall,  a  woman 
first,  then  a  boy  (about  fourteen  years  of  age) 
were  overwhelmed  with  sin,  sorrow,  and  fear. 
But  we  cried  to  God,  and  their  souls  were 
delivered. 

During  this  whole  time,  I  was  almost  continu- 
ally asked,  either  by  those  who  purposely  came 
to  Bristol  to  inquire  concerning  this  strange  work, 
or  by  my  old  or  new  correspondents,  "How  can 
these  things  be  ? "  And  innumerable  cautions 
were  given  me  (generally  grounded  on  gross  mis- 
representations  of  things),  "  Not  to  regard  visions 
or  dreams;  or  to  fancy  people  had  remission  of 
sins,  because  of  their  cries  or  tears,  or  bare  out- 
ward  professions."  To  one  who  had  many  times 
wrote  to  me  on  this  head,  the  sum  of  my  answer 
was  as  follows;  

"  The  question  between  us  turns  chiefly,  if  not 
wholly,  on  matter  of  fact.  You  deny  that  God 
does  now  work  these  effects;  at  least,  that  he 
works  them  in  this  manner.  I  affirm  both;  be- 
cause I  have  heard  these  things  with  my  own 
ears,  and  seen  them  with  my  eyes.    I  have  seen 


Mr.  Wesley's  letter.  273 


(as  far  as  a  thing  of  this  kind  can  be  seen),  very 
many  persons  changed  in  a  moment,  from  the  spirit 
of  fear,  horror,  and  despair,  to  the  spirit  of  love, 
joy,  and  peace;  and  from  sinful  desire,  till  then 
reigning  over  them,  to  a  pure  desire  of  doing  the 
will  of  God.  These  are  matters  of  fact,  whereof 
I  have  been,  and  almost  daily  am,  an  eye  or  an 
ear  witness.  What  I  have  to  say  touching  visions 
or  dreams,  is  this:  I  have  known  several  persons 
in  whom  this  great  change  was  wrought  in  a 
dream,  or  during  a  strong  representation  to  the 
eye  of  their  mind,  of  Christ  either  on  the  cross 
or  in  glory.  This  is  the  fact:  let  any  judge  of  it 
as  they  please.  And  that  such  a  change  w;>s  then 
wrought,  appears  not  from  their  shedding  tears 
only,  or  falling  into  tits,  or  crying  out;  these  are 
not  the  fruits,  as  you  seem  to  suppose,  whereby  I 
judge,  but  from  the  whole  tenor  of  their  life; 
till  then,  many  ways  wicked ;  from  that  time, 
holy,  just,  and  good. 

"  I  will  show  him  that  was  a  lion  till  then,  and 
is  now  a  lamb ;  him  that  was  a  drunkard,  and  is 
now  exemplarily  sober;  the  whoremonger  that 
was,  who  now  abhors  the  very  garment  spotted 
by  the  flesh.  These  are  my  living  arguments  for 
what  I  assert,  viz  :  That  God  does  now,  as  afore- 
time, give  remission  of  sins  and  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  even  to  us  and  to  our  children;  yea, 
and  that  always  suddenly,  as  far  as  I  have  known, 
and  often  in  dreams  or  in  the  visions  of  God.  If 
it  be  not  so,  I  am  found  a  false  witness  before 
God.  For  these  things  I  do,  and  by  his  grace- 
will  testify. 

"Perhaps  it  might  be  because  of  the  hardness 
of  our  hearts,  unready  to  receive  anything,  un- 
less we  see  it  with  our  eves,  and  hear  it  with  our 


274       Seven  persons  rejoice  in  the  Lord. 

cars,  that  God,  in  tender  condescension  to  our 
weakness,  suffered  so  many  outward  signs,  at  the 
very  time  when  he  wrought  this  inward  change, 
to  be  continually  seen  and  heard  among  us.  But 
although  they  saw  signs  and  wonders  (for  so  I 
must  term  them),  yet  many  would  not  believe. 
They  could  not,  indeed,  deny  the  facts,  but  they 
could  explain  them  away.  Some  said,  '  These 
were  purely  natural  effects,  the  people  fainted 
away  only  because  of  the  heat  and  closeness  of 
the  rooms.'  And  others  were  sure  it  was  all  a 
cheat,  they  might  help  it  if  they  would.  Why 
were  these  things  only  in  their  private  socie- 
ties? Why  were  they  not  done  in  the  face  of  the 
gun  ?  " 

Monday  21st. — To-day  our  Lord  answered  for 
himself,  for  while  I  was  enforcing  these  words, 
"  Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God,"  he  began  to 
make  bare  his  arm,  not  in  a  close  room,  neither 
in  private,  but  in  the  open  air,  and  before  more 
than  two  thousand  witnesses.  One,  and  another, 
and  another  were  struck  to  the  earth,  trembling 
exceedingly  at  the  presence  of  his  power.  Others 
cried  with  a  loud  and  bitter  cry,  "What  must  we 
do  to  be  saved?"  And  in  less  than  an  hour, 
seven  persons  wholly  unknown  to  me  till  that 
time,  were  rejoicing  and  singing,  and  with  all 
their  might,  giving  thanks  to  the  God  of  their 
salvation. 

In  the  evening  I  was  interrupted  at  Nicholas- 
street,  almost  as  soon  as  I  began  to  speak,  by  the 
cries  of  one  who  was  pricked  to  the  heart,  and 
strongly  groaned  for  pardon  and  peace.  Yet  I 
went  on  to  declare  what  God  had  already  done, 
in  proof  of  that  important  truth,  that  he  is  not 
willing  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should 


A  woman  runs  out  of  the  Society.  275 

come  to  repentance.  Another  dropped  down  close 
to  one  who  was  a  strong  asserter  of  the  contrary 
doctrine.  While  he  stood  astonished  at  the  sight, 
a  little  boy  near  him  was  seized  in  the  same 
manner.  A  young  man  who  stood  behind,  fixed 
his  eyes  on  him,  and  sunk  down  himself  as  one 
dead,  but  soon  began  to  roar  out  and  beat  himself 
against  the  ground,  so  that  six  men  could  scarcely 
hold  him;  his  name  was  Thomas  Maxfield.  Ex- 
cept J.  H.,  I  never  saw  one  so  torn  of  the  evil 
one;  meanwhile,  many  thus  began  to  cry  out  to 
the  Saviour  of  all,  that  he  would  come  and  help 
them,  insomuch,  that  all  the  house  (and  indeed 
all  the  street  for  some  space)  was  in  an  uproar. 
But  we  continued  in  prayer,  and  before  ten,  the 
greater  part  found  rest  to  their  souls. 

I  was  called  from  supper  to  one,  who,  feeling 
in  herself  such  a  conviction  as  she  never  had 
known  before,  had  run  out  of  the  society  in  all 
haste,  that  she  might  not  expose  herself.  But  the 
hand  of  God  followed  her  still,  so  that  after  going 
a  few  steps,  she  was  forced  to  be  carried  home, 
and  when  she  was  there,  grew  worse  and  worse. 
She  was  in  a  violent  agony  when  we  came.  We 
called  upon  God  and  her  soul  found  rest. 

About  twelve,  I  was  greatly  importuned  to 
visit  one  person  more.  She  had  only  one  struggle 
after  I  came,  and  was  then  filled  with  peace  and 
joy.  I  think  twenty-nine  in  all,  had  their  heavi- 
ness turned  into  joy  this  day. 

Saturday  26th. — One  came  to  us  in  deep  des- 
pair, but  after  an  hour  spent  in  prayer,  went 
away  in  peace.  The  next  day,  having  observed 
in  many  a  zeal  which  did  not  suit  with  the 
sweetness  and  gentleness  of  love,  I  preached  at 
Rose-Green  on  these  words  (to  the  largest  con- 


276      Preaches  to  a  Society  in  Wapping. 

gregation  I  ever  had  there,  I  believe  upwards  of 
ten  thousand  souls),  "Ye  know  not  what  manner 
of  spirit  ye  are  of.  For  the  Son  of  man  is  not 
come  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them." 
At  the  society  in  the  evening,  eleven  were  deeply 
convinced  of  sin,  and  soon  after  comforted. 

Monday  28th  I  began  preaching  at  Weaver's- 
Hall  at  eleven  in  the  forenoon,  where  two  persons 
were  enabled  to  cry  in  faith,  "My  Lord  and  my 
God! "  As  were  seven  during  the  sermon  in  the 
afternoon,  before  several  thousand  witnesses;  and 
ten  in  the  evening  at  Baldwin-street,  of  whom 
two  were  children. 

Wednesday,  June  13th. — I  came  to  London. 

Friday  15th. — I  had  much  talk  with  one  who 
is  called  a  Quaker.  But  he  could  not  receive  my 
saying.  I  was  too  strict  for  him,  and  talked  of 
such  a  perfection  as  he  could  not  think  necessary; 
being  persuaded  that  there  was  no  harm  in  costly 
apparel,  provided  it  was  plain  and  grave;  nor  in 
putting  on  scarlet  and  gold  upon  our  horses,  so  it 
were  not  upon  our  clothes. 

In  the  evening  I  went  to  a  society  in  Wapping, 
weary  in  body  and  faint  in  spirit.  I  intended  to 
speak  on  Romans  iii.  19.  but  could  not  tell  how 
to  open  my  mouth;  and  all  the  time  we  were 
singing,  my  mind  was  full  of  some  place,  I  knew 
not  where,  in  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  I  begged 
of  God  to  direct,  and  opened  the  book  on  Heb. 
x.  19.  "Having  therefore,  brethren,  boldness  to 
enter  into  the  holiest,  by  the  blood  of  Jesus;  by 
a  new  and  living  way  which  he  has  consecrated 
for  us,  through  the  veil,  that  is  to  say  his  flesh. 
Let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart,  in  full  assu- 
rance of  faith;  having  our  hearts  sprinkled  from 
an  evil  conscience,  and  our  bodies  washed  in  pure 


Twenty-six  much  affected.  277 

water."  While  I  was  earnestly  inviting  all  sin- 
ners  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  this  new  and 
living  way,  many  that  heard  began  to  call  upon 
God  with  strong  cries  and  tears.  Some  sunk 
down,  and  there  remained  no  strength  in  them, 
others  exceedingly  trembled  and  quaked,  some 
were  torn  with  a  kind  of  convulsive  motion  in 
every  part  of  their  bodies,  and  that  so  violently, 
that  often  four  or  five  persons  could  not  hold  one 
of  them.  I  have  seen  many  hysterical  and  epi- 
leptic fits,  but  none  of  them  were  like  these  in 
many  respects.  I  immediately  prayed  that  God 
would  not  suffer  those  that  were  weak,  to  be  of- 
fended. But  one  woman  was  greatly,  heing  sure 
that  they  might  help  it  if  they  would;  no  one 
should  persuade  her  to  the  contrary;  and  was  got 
three  or  four  yards,  when  she  also  dropped  down, 
in  as  violent  an  agony  as  the  rest.  Twenty-six 
of  those  who  had  been  thus  affected  (most  of 
whom  during  the  prayers  which  were  made  for 
them,  were  in  a  moment  filled  with  peace  and 
joy),  promised  to  call  upon  me  the  next  day. 
But  only  eighteen  came:  by  talking  closely  with 
whom,  I  found  reason  to  believe  that  some  of 
them  had  gone  home  to  their  houses  justified.  The 
rest  seemed  to  be  patiently  waiting  for  it. 

Saturday  ICth  We  met  at  Fetter-lane  to 

humble  ourselves  before  God,  and  own  he  had 
justly  withdrawn  his  Spirit  from  us,  for  our  mani- 
fold unfaithfulness.  We  acknowledged  ourhaving 
grieved  him  by  our  divisions;  one  saying,  "  I  am 
of  Paul,"  another,  "I  am  of  Apollos;"  by  our 
leaning  again  to  our  own  works,  and  trusting  in 
them  instead  of  Christ;  by  our  resting  in  those 
little  beginnings  of  sanctitication,  which  it  has 
pleased  him  to  work  among  us,  imputing  it  either 


278        Eight  persons  fall  to  the  (/round. 

to  nature,  to  the  force  of  imagination  and  ani- 
mal spirits,  or  even  to  the  delusion  of  the  devil. 
In  that  hour  we  found  God  was  with  us  as  at  the 
first,  some  fell  prostrate  upon  the  ground,  others 
burst  out  as  with  one  consent,  into  loud  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  and  many  openly  testified, 
there  had  been  no  such  day  as  this  since  January 
the  first  preceding. 

Bristol,  Friday  22nd  In  the  afternoon  I 

preached  at  the  Fish-Ponds,  but  had  no  life  or 
spirit  in  me;  and  was  much  in  doubt  whether 
God  would  not  lay  me  aside,  and  send  other  la- 
bourers into  his  harvest.  I  came  to  the  society 
full  of  this  thought;  and  began  in  much  weak- 
ness to  explain,  "Beloved,  believe  not  every 
spirit,  but  try  the  spirits,  whether  they  be  of 
God."  I  told  them  they  were  not  to  judge  of  the 
spirit  whereby  any  one  spoke,  either  by  appear- 
ances, or  by  common  report,  or  by  their  own  in- 
ward feelings.  No,  nor  by  any  dreams,  visions, 
or  revelations  supposed  to  be  made  to  their  souls, 
any  more  than  by  their  tears,  or  any  involuntary 
effects  wrought  upon  their  bodies."  I  warned 
them  all  these  were  of  a  doubtful  disputable 
nature;  they  might  be  from  God,  and  they  might 
not;  and  were  therefore  not  simply  to  be  relied 
on  (anymore  than  simply  to  be  condemned);  but 
to  be  tried  by  a  farther  rule,  to  be  brought  to  the 
only  certain  test,  the  law  and  the  testimony. 
While  I  was  speaking,  one  before  me  dropped 
down  as  dead,  and  presently  a  second,  and  a 
third.  Five  others  sunk  down  in  half  an  hour, 
most  of  whom  were  in  violent  agonies.  "The 
pains  of  hell  came  upon  them ;  the  snares  of 
death  overtook  them."  In  their  trouble  we  called 
upon  the  Lord,  and  he  gave  us  an  answer  of 


He  converses  with  Mr.  Whitfield.  270 


peace.  One  indeed  continued  an  hour  in  strong 
pain;  and  one  or  two  more  for  three  days. 
But  the  rest  were  greatly  comforted  in  that  hour, 
and  went  away  rejoicing  and  praising  God. 

Saturday  23rd  I  spoke  severally  with  those 

who  had  been  so  troubled  the  night  before. 
Some  of  them  I  found  were  only  convinced  of 
sin;  others  had  indeed  found  rest  to  their  souls. 
This  eveninganother  was  seized  wi  th  strong  pangs, 
but  in  a  short  time  her  soul  also  was  delivered. 

Friday,  July  6th  In  the  afternoon  I  was  with 

Mr.  Whitfield,  just  come  from  London,  with 
whom  I  went  to  Baptist-Mills,  where  he  preached 
concerning  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  all  who  be- 
lieve are  to  receive;  not  without  a  just,  though 
severe,  censure  of  those  who  preach  as  if  there 
were  no  Holy  Ghost. 

Saturday  7th  I  had  an  opportunity  to  talk 

with  him  on  those  outward  signs,  which  had  so 
often  accompanied  the  inward  work  of  God.  I 
found  his  objections  were  chiefly  grounded  on 
gross  misrepresentations  of  matter  of  fact.  But 
the  next  day  he  had  an  opportunity  of  informing 
himself  better;  for  no  sooner  had  he  began  (in 
the  application  of  his  sermon)  to  invite  all  sinners 
to  believe  in  Christ,  than  four  persons  sunk  down 
close  to  him  almost  in  the  same  moment.  One 
of  them  lay  without  either  sense  or  motion; 
a  second  trembled  exceedingly;  the  third  had 
strong  convulsions  all  over  his  body,  but  made 
no  noise  unless  by  groans;  the  fourth,  equally 
convulsed,  called  upon  God  with  strong  cries  and 
tears.  From  this  time,  I  trust,  we  shall  suffer  God 
to  carry  on  his  own  work  in  the  way  that  pleaseth 

him."  See  the  Rev.  J.  Wesley's  third  Journal, 

page  52,  &c. 


280  He  returns  to  London  with  a  heavy  heart. 


December,  1739.  Wednesday  l!)th — I  came 
to  London,  though  with  a  heavy  heart.  Here  I 
found  every  day  the  dreadful  effects  of  our  breth- 
ren's reasonings  and  disputing  with  each  other. 
Scarce  one  in  ten  retained  his  first  love;  and  most 
of  the  rest  were  in  the  utmost  confusion,  biting 
and  devouring  one  another.  I  pray  God  ye  be 
not  consumed  one  of  another. 

Monday  24th. — After  spending  a  part  of  the 
night  at  Fetter-lane,  I  went  to  a  smaller  com- 
pany, where  also  we  exhorted  one  another  with 
hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  and  poured  out  our 
hearts  to  God  in  prayer.  Toward  morning,  one 
of  them  was  overwhelmed  with  joy  and  love,  and 
could  not  help  shewing  it  by  strong  cries  and 
tears.  At  this,  another  was  much  displeased, 
saying,  "It  was  only  nature,  imagination,  and 
animal  spirits."  O  thou  jealous  God,  lay  not 
this  sin  to  their  charge !  and  let  us  not  be 
wise  above  what  is  written." — See  the  Rev.  J. 
Wesley's  fourth  Journal,  page  16. 


INDEX. 


PART  FIRST. 

Page. 

Containing  his  parentage,  birth,  marriage,  and  manner 
of  life  while  in  nature's  darkness— His  conviction,  con- 
version, and  sanctifiration — His  gospel  labours,  and 
divers  remarkable  occurrences  while  a  local  preacher, 
till  the  death  of  his  wife    5 

CHAPTER  I. 

His  parentage,  &c   5 

CHAPTER  II. 
Alarming  dreams — Hears  a  Methodist — Conviction  for 
sin — Reprobation — Obtains  pardon    7 

CHAPTER  HI. 
His  daughter  is  converted — Begins  to  exhort — Doubtful 
disputations — Fallen  preacher — Call  to  preach    Is 

CHAPTER  IV. 
His  wife  converted — Prays  with  the  sick— Remarkable 
dream — Begins  to  preach — The  murderer — He  is  ap- 
pointed class  leader   H 

CHAPTER  V. 
American  war — Obtains  sanctification — Work  prospers — 
Baptist  preacher— Collegian— Quaker  woman  in  dis- 
tress—Catholic— Warning  to  parents  —  Bigotry— His 
son  Benjamin  dies    33 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Oreat  wonders— Swearing  Jack— A  captain  and  soldiers 
come  to  take  him  up— Visits  his  relations — Aunt  born 
again — Determined  to  preach  sanctification   50 


282 


INDEX. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Pagt. 

Sheep  stolen  —  Persecutor  stopped  —  Power  of  God  — 
Preaches  on  the  words  of  the  devil — Many  struck 
down — Remarkable  experience    60 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  drink  of  water — Two  witnesses  raised  up — The 
mighty  power  of  God — Happy  deaths— A  shout   67 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Happy  death — Harvest — Prayer  the  seventh  time — Work 
increases— Woe  to  backsliders   76 

CHAPTER  X. 
Builds  a  meeting-house — Visits  Pennsylvania— Swearing 
constable — Great  work  among  the  Germans    83 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Several  fully  sanctified — The  congregation  falls — Oppo- 
ser  brought  down — Water !  Water ! — He  attempts  to 
quench  the  Spirit    93 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  great  day — Threatened  to  be  shot — Cry  for  clean 
hearts  —  Ocean  of  love — Many  sanctified — His  son 
David  a  preacher — Preaches  in  the  woods  — Leaves 
the  slain— Plain  old  man— Loud  shout   101 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Apparition — Thunder  storm — The  power  of  God  comes 
down  among  the  black  people — Young  man  on  the 
floor — Man  said  to  be  dead — Local  preacher  brought 
down    108 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  devil  comes  into  the  camp— He  meets  with  Bishop 
Asbury — Returns  home— His  wife  dies   116 


INDEX. 


283 


PART  SECOND. 


Containing  his  travels  and  gospel  labours,  after  he  enter- 
ed the  Methodist  Itinerant  Connexion,  in  April  1789, 
until  about  May  1795    122 

CHAPTER  I. 
Commences  itinerant— Dutches  circuit — Prayer  seventh 
time — Some  sanctified — Two  men  exhort — Disputes — 
Young  man  lost — Work  increases   122 

CHAPTER  II. 
Great  work — Minister  living  in  sin — A  young  woman  ex- 
horts— Extracts  from  Mr.  Wesley's  Journal — Shout 
continued  for  three  or  four  hours — An  angel    127 

CHAPTER  III. 
A  man  hangs  himself— Ocean  of  love — A  Whitfieldite — 
Remarkable  dream — Baptist  woman  exhorts — Remarks 
on  the  circuit    133 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Several  obtain  sanctification — Ocean  of  love — Meeting  at 
a  Quaker's— Shining  face— A  view  of  Jesus  Christ  ..  138 

CHAPTER  V. 
A  hard-hearted  people— Sets  out  for  thecircuit— Preacher 
for  the  devil  —  Preaches  on  "What  is  truth?"  —  A 
young  man  falls  into  the  fire   143 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Disputes  on  Calvinism — New  York  conference — Great 
works— Newburv  circuit — Extraordinary  class  and  fast 
day   148 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Dispute  on  purity — Dispute  with  Quakers — Candles  go 
out — Love-feast,  many  sanctified  and  justified — Wo- 
man loses  the  use  of  her  limbs  for  three  days — Black 
despair— Wonderful  shout    153 


284 


INDEX. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Woman  married  out  of  the  society— He  gets  up 
night  to  pray  with  a  family— Remarkable 
State  of  the  circuit— Deist  in  a  storm  at  sea — New 
York  conference — Dead  love-feast   159 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Appointed  to  Long-island — Conk  shell— Dispute — A  re- 
vival—  Laughers  stopped —  Quarterlj  -meeting — -Great 
work  at  the  love-feast,  but  stopped   1C6 

CHAPTER  X. 
Glorious  meeting  among  the  Africans  and  Indians— A 
lunatic  —  Indian  woman's  experience — Ruth  Jones  — 
Disputes — Quarterly  meeting — Conference — A  prea- 
cher down  

CHAPTER  XI. 
Salem  circuit — Ocean  of  love — Shout  in  the  camp,  and  a 
woman  exhorts — Joshua"s  resolution — Spirit  of  con- 
tention— Powerful  class-meeting  


CHAPTER  XII. 
>tretch  for  sanetifiration— Presbyterian  falls— Converted 
sawyer — Articles  of  faith — Ocean  of  redeeming  love — 
Revivals— Great  work  at  the  quarterly-meeting — Per- 
secution— Remarks   186 

CHAPTER  XIII. 


feast  lively — Street  preaching—  Scwell's  History  of  the 
Quakers— Meeting  in  the  woods   196 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Eastern  shore  of  Maryland— Remarks— Shout  after  shout 
—They  fall  like  men  slain  in  battle— Some  overcome 
and  filled  with  redeeming  love — Numbers  fall  and  the 
wicked  fly— Extraordinary  singing — Great  work  in  a 
family— Ocean  of  redeeming  love— Remarkable  love- 
feast    203 


INDEX. 


285 


CHAPTER  XV. 

P 

Shaking  among  the  dry  bones — Some  sanctified — He 
leaves  the  slain — A  day  that  will  long  be  remembered — 
A  shout  —  The  work  mightily  increases  —  Ocean  of 
God's  love— A  good  day  to  himself— Many  seem  lost 
in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  love — Stones  thrown  — 
Great  work,  and  several  flee — His  own  heart  swallow- 


ed up  in  redeeming  love    210 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Great  distress — Himself  happy— Several  baptized  in  the  , 
fountain  of  love— He  is  filled — Many  slain  —  Some 
seemed  lost  in  the  ocean  of  redeeming  love — Remark- 
able experience — Glorious  class  meeting— The  God  of 
Elijah  answcreth  by  fire   215 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Divers  plunged  in  the  ocean  of  love — Meeting  which 
lasted  four  hours — View  of  Jesus — The  place  glorious 
—Sacred  flame  of  God's  love   220 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  cries  of  the  distressed  make  the  streets  ring— Over- 
whelmed in  the  fountain  of  love— Ocean  of  God's 
love — Noise  heard  a  mile  and  a  half— A  day  of  power  222 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

A  happy  class — A  dream— Devil-hardened  sinner — Many 
filled  with  love— Ocean  of  God's  love— The  devil  put 
to  flight   22-'> 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Some  groan,  some  shout,  and  others  run  away — Woman 
unborn  again — Great  shouting,  and  several  lost  in  the 
ocean  of  love — Many  swallowed  up  in  love,  himself 
afflicted  in  body— Obtains  strength  by  prayer — Great 
shout — Himself  much  afflicted — Letter  on  deism — A 
;;reat  revival,  and  a  Quaker  converted   229 


280 


INDEX. 


JOHN  FFIRTH'S  NARRATIVE. 

Page. 

I,  Abbott  a  fighter— His  conversion  and  preaching — Ex- 
tracts from  the  minutes  of  conference — His  zeal — He 
is  taken  ill — A  proper  shout — Extraordinary  love-feast 
— Reproves  Mr.  W — He  finishes  his  writings — Offers 
to  send  for  Mr.  C.  to  preach  his  funeral  sermon — Glo- 
rious death— A  vision— Lines  on  a  farewell  sermon  . .  238 


HUGH  SMITH'S  NARRATIVE. 

B.  Abbott's  zeal  and  faith — Travail  for  souls — His  early 
life— His  ministry    258 


APPENDIX. 

How  the  apostles  subdued  the  nations — On  miracles — 
On  preaching  with  the  Holy  Ghost— Why  all  ministers 
are  not  clothed  with  this  power    264 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  REV.  J.  WES- 
LEY'S JOURNAL. 

The  people  fall  at  Bristol — All  Newgate  rings  with  cries 
— A  Physician—A  Quaker  struck  down— A  man  said 
to  be  raving  mad— J.  Wesley's  letter  ou  these  things — 
The  people  fall  in  the  open  air — Zeal  not  according  to 
love— Many  fall  at  Wapping  and  at  Fetter-lane— On 
trying  the  spirits— Mr.  Whitfield— Remarks  at  Fetter- 
lane,  &c  266 


John  Heaton.  Printer,  7,  Briggatc  Leeds. 


1  1012  01035  9778 


